HHH Schools Cut Four Days From Winter Break Due to Sandy

Winter break for Half Hollow Hills schools have been slashed by four days in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, according to a message posted on the district's website Thursday. 

Schools will also be open on the Tuesday following Memorial Day. 

Schools were closed for eight days following Sandy. Many districts across Long Island have already announced that they have cancelled their entire winter break due to the storm.

Here's the message in its entirety:

As a result of the emergency school closings due to Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy, it is necessary to modify the 2012-2013 School Calendar. School will be in session February 19, 20, 21, 22 and May 28. 

The New York State Education Department requires school districts to be in session not less than 180 days. The original Half Hollow Hills Central School District 2012 – 2013 School Calendar included 183 days (181 student attendance days and 2 Superintendent’s Conference Days). As of today, we closed for 7 student attendance days and 1 Superintendent’s Conference Day for a total of 175 days (174 student attendance days and 1 Superintendent’s Conference Day). Therefore, we must make-up 5 days in order to meet the State mandated 180 school days. As a result, all Half Hollow Hills Schools will be in session February 19, 20, 21, 22 and May 28 for instructional days. 

The revised school calendar also includes 3 new emergency closing days -- February 18, March 27, and March 28 -- to be used in the event of snow or other forced emergency closings to meet the State mandated 180 days. If there is one emergency closing day, school will be in session on February 18; if there are two emergency closing days, school will be in session on February 18 and March 27; if there are three emergency closing days, school will be in session on February 18, March 27 and March 28. 

In addition, in the event of significant forced closings, or forced closings after scheduled vacations, the revised calendar allows for days in June, after Regents examinations, to be used to reach the 180 school days. In this event, the revised school calendar includes June 24, June 25 and June 26 as Superintendent’s Conference Days for staff only. 

 It is important to note that although the Commissioner of Education does have an “extraordinary conditions” provision for up to 5 additional days excused, that provision clearly requires the District to first use scheduled vacation days, including the use of religious observance associated with Passover, Easter and other religious holidays. 

We understand that the calendar change may cause concerns for many of our families. The decision to close school for 8 days was guided by the need to ensure the safety of our community. We now shift our focus to maximizing the achievement of our students by recouping valuable instructional time. 

In the event that your child will not be in attendance for February 19-22 it would be appreciated if you would notify the building principal to assist the District in planning.

Respectfully,

The Half Hollow Hills Central Office Administration and Board of Education