Here’s how Seattle Public Schools will handle snow make-up days

(Madison Middle School on snowy February 9th, photographed by Aidan Grambihler)

As announced by Seattle Public Schools – here’s how they’ll make up for the days lost to snow earlier this month:

The winter weather and related schedule changes have been a challenge for many and we thank you for your patience. In February, school closed for five days due to the series of snow storms.

This year’s school calendar included two make-up days in June (June 21 and 24); the three additional make-up days will be added to the calendar following those days as outlined in the 2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement, with the Seattle Education Association. The last day of school for students in grades preschool through 11 will be June 27.

The priority of the district is to provide high-quality instruction to all our students and ensure they are academically prepared. The decision to extend school until June 27 was made with this goal in mind and in consultation with the Seattle Education Association. While we recognize extending the school year may be challenging for some families, we also know that the amount of instructional time a student spends with their teacher is one of the most important factors in learning.

High school graduation dates will not change. In order to meet the state’s instructional time requirement, the last day of school for students in 12th grade will be June 20. Students will be expected to finish any outstanding coursework or exams required for graduation. High school principals will communicate further updates specific to their school over the coming weeks.

Chief Sealth International HS and West Seattle HS are both scheduled for June 13th graduations.

Henny February 25, 2019 (7:28 pm)

So irritating we won’t be in school after the 20th… why not give up some days between semesters or take a day off spring. Break? Or those dumb Wednesday’s ??

mehud7 February 25, 2019 (8:05 pm)

Henny-You will be in school after the 20th. You will be there until the 27th, actually
- Henny February 25, 2019 (9:35 pm)
  
  No we just won’t go … is what I meant!

WS Foodie February 25, 2019 (7:45 pm)

So seniors at Sealth and WS graduate on June 13th, then go back to school until the 20th? Yea right.

M.B. February 25, 2019 (8:34 pm)

“The last day of school for students in grades preschool through 11 will be June 27.”Seniors are not in grade 11.
wsresident February 25, 2019 (9:27 pm)

The reason they wouldn’t move graduation til later is because some families may have planned summer vacations and would end up missing their graduation if it was postponed. Also, there could be family and friends that have already made flight arrangements to attend the graduation. But I agree, seniors most likely won’t go.

West Seattle Neighbor February 25, 2019 (8:53 pm)

I’m really upset about this. Why aren’t we requesting the state waiver for at least some of these days? Does it have to do with the fact that teachers are required to work for the extra days regardless of getting the waiver? I’m a huge supporter of teachers, but I find it strange that the SEA put out an alert to teachers today that they have to work regardless of a waiver in order to get paid, and then later on the same day we find that there’s no waiver relief? I expected some waiver consideration, some discussion of forgoing early release Wednesdays, or some other creative troubleshooting, per the district’s announcement prior to mid-winter break. Why is this all of a sudden a done deal with no mitigation, even though there was an opportunity to request a waiver and/or creatively problem solve this situation??

teacher February 26, 2019 (7:17 pm)

I am a teacher and I would have preferred to work the last few days without kids because teachers usually have to work a few days after school is out to put things away and get our rooms ready to be cleaned and we never get paid for that.

Alison February 25, 2019 (9:04 pm)

We really shouldn’t have a mid-winter break. For years like this, snow days won’t take up all of June. And for mild winters, the kids will get out mid-June and enjoy the long summer.

AJP February 25, 2019 (10:06 pm)

Agreed. Mid winter break is pointless.
- JRR February 26, 2019 (7:55 am)
  
  But rich people need to go skiing!
  - sam-c February 26, 2019 (9:10 am)
    
    LOL, skiing.. or Hawaii to get some sun during the dreary winter. I don’t get mid-winter break either.
    - wsres February 26, 2019 (7:18 pm)
      
      I like mid-winter break.
Kristina February 26, 2019 (3:13 pm)

Giving kids a chance to rest their minds makes them better learners, and gives them a chance for free time and kid activities.I teach high school. My kids work HARD – much more than 8 hours a day, just on their schoolwork, and they volunteer, have jobs, help their families, and have extra curricular activities (all requirements to get into college, by the way). They need this break, and learn better when they come back.

Mj February 25, 2019 (10:31 pm)

Both mid winter and spring breaks could have been used to make up some days and would have been better than extending the school year.

Overthere February 26, 2019 (12:44 am)

What about families that have vacation scheduled over mid winter and spring break? We have already spent more than a little on our trip. Best over summer as the dates are future out.
- Seriously? February 26, 2019 (11:32 am)
  
  My heart bleeds . . .
  - Ruderthanu February 26, 2019 (4:58 pm)
    
    U haz a heart punky?

High School Junior Dad February 26, 2019 (4:54 am)

I’m sure there is alot more to this than what is written in the letter. My bet is that there is some type of financial reason behind this decision. This is a CYA announcement as the main reason to extend school is explained as, is hard to beleive…..” While we recognize extending the school year may be challenging for some families, we also know that the amount of instructional time a student spends with their teacher is one of the most important factors in learning.”. Simple common sense knows that the even the teachers will be “mailing it in” these extra days. More than likely, school administrators ( with a mandate from above ) will “encourage” teachers to schedule final exams during the last days to ensure kids attend and ensure the school stays in compliance with the hourly mandate….which more than likely has a financial incentive.

West Seattle Hipster February 26, 2019 (5:51 am)

Yet another reason I hate snow in Seattle.

Daisy February 26, 2019 (7:53 am)

The seniors are hearing that their final exams will be held AFTER graduation, so they must come back to school and take their exams to get their diploma.Additionally, the school sponsored senior night event, which runs from right after the graduation ceremony until 6:00am the following morning, means that students won’t be at school on Friday June 14th after being out all night. Don’t know if that was taken into consideration with the additional days.Either way, scheduling final exams for the seniors after graduation, or even making them come back at all after graduation, is not the right solution.

SLJ February 26, 2019 (8:13 am)

It’s too bad that we have to go to school so late into June, but the state mandates a certain number of days, and missing a week of school is a lot. Cancelling existing breaks isn’t practical–many students will be out of town, and teachers and staff will too. Wednesdays are already filled with meetings and prep time for teachers, which is part of their contract. It’s not ideal but this is a rare occurrence in Seattle and there really isn’t much choice.

Sohappy February 26, 2019 (9:08 am)

I would never complain about free childcare/instruction, so thank you sps. If you have vacation plans take them, what are they going to do?! Summer is 9 weeks long there is plenty of time!

Seriously? February 26, 2019 (9:31 am)

For those asking about the fairness, or lack thereof, for teachers, here’s words of wisdom. There is not a boss on this planet who gives half a sh– about their employees. The mantra of bosses is “who cares about your civil rights as long as I get paid” (quote from Dead Kennedys song).