School calendar remains the same
Published on March 3rd, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - For the second year in a row, Stoneham schools will open their doors for the upcoming academic year before Labor Day.
At its February 11 meeting, the School Committee voted in favor of the earlier start for the 1999-2000 school year due to the late date on which the holiday again falls in September.
School Superintendent Dr. Joseph Connelly announced his recommendation based partly on the success of the current year's early start.
"This is the very first experience I've had as superintendent with the pre-Labor Day start," stated Connelly, who added that he felt confident in this progressive schedule.
For the next academic year, teachers will report to school on Monday and Tuesday, August 30 and 31. Students will join them on Wednesday and Thursday, September 1 and 2. Schools will be closed on Friday, September 3 and on the holiday, Monday, September 6. Classes will resume on Tuesday, September 7 for all.
Connelly also reported that the Stoneham Teacher's Association voted in favor of the aforementioned calendar, although not by a wide margin.
With 104 teachers in favor and 91 against, Connelly suggested that many were opposed to the earlier start perhaps due to preference of a more traditional calendar.
"I'm very traditional also... (some) just prefer the traditional calendar. They see Labor Day as the end (of the summer)," he said.
Stoneham Teachers Association President Linda Peterson stated that all the teachers were pleased that the decision has been made so early in the year. She also advised that some school departments are making such calendar decisions two years in advance.
"I see no reason why we can't do that," stated School Committee Chairman Stephen Gucciardi.
The benefit of beginning school four days earlier than is traditional, said Connelly, is the earlier June release date. With a late September start, school could well go on into the last days of June, with snow days calculated into the equation.
With the School Committee's endorsement of the 1999-2000 calendar, school will let out for the summer anywhere from June 12 to June 19, 2000, depending on the number of snow days, if any, utilized.
"This makes the most sense," said Connelly.
He also emphasized that the earlier opening is for the upcoming year only, as no decisions regarding future calendars had yet been made.
"This is not a permanent change."
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