Suffield Schools Survey Stakeholders on Making up Missed School Days

Administrators at the are determining how to best make up for the six school days missed during the recent fall snowstorm and they're soliciting input from the school system's stakeholders.

A three-question online survey solicits input from staff, parents and other Suffield residents involved in the schools about how they would like to see the days rescheduled. Suffield schools were closed due to power outages, and in Suffield High School's case because it served as the town shelter, during the beginning of November as a result of the early snowstorm.

The major option offered in the survey is rating the relative preference of adding instructional days (and therefore removing vacation days or extending the school year) to the months of February, April and June.

The survey also points out that additional days will likely be missed due to weather during the course of the winter and the school system has to compensate for that as well.

The statement, "A plan to address the six lost days from Storm Alfred that takes additional days from February vacation, days from April vacation, and days added to June is one I endorse" is included as part of the final question. The survey then asks reponders to agree, disagree or remain undecided about that potential plan.

The Suffield Board of Education will evaluate the survey results and other information at its Dec. 6 meeting before reaching a decision on how to proceed on the matter.

Making the decision about vacation changes soon will help parents, students and staff decide on and avoid conflicts with out-of-school plans.