Strait Regional School Board officials are concerned about the amount of class time lost due to weather-related cancellations this year and are asking principals to ensure their schools make the best use of instructional time.
There have been eight days this school year when classes have been cancelled region-wide in Inverness, Richmond, Antigonish and Guysborough counties due to weather. That’s up three days from the same point last year. There have been additional closures at individual schools due to weather, power outages or water breaks.
“This year has been more difficult than the last few years,” Supt. Jack Beaton said.
During a meeting with principals last week, board officials discussed the need to ensure that class time is focused on delivering the public school program.
“Every day we miss, it’s absolutely a concern. We have kids that will be writing Nova Scotia exams in June and they have to be prepared to write those exams, so we have to find a way to cover those outcomes.”
Beaton noted the board doesn’t have the power to extend the school day or the academic year in order to make up for lost time. School boards are bound by terms of collective agreements with teachers and other staff, the Education Act and the province’s academic calendar.
