On Wednesday, February 14th, SPS students, teachers, and staff received a Valentine’s Day surprise when they learned the school calendar had been changed to accommodate the upcoming Super Tuesday presidential primary election on Tuesday, March 5th.
Originally, March 5th was a regular school day with a Day 4 rotation schedule at SHS. However, with a high voter turnout expected on Super Tuesday, the school calendar was adjusted to accommodate parking needs at the high school. March 5th is now a teacher professional development day and a day off for students district-wide.
Although many students and families were looking forward to a four-day Easter weekend–with Thursday, March 28th, as the planned March professional development day and Friday, March 29th, recognized as a religious holiday, the school calendar adjustment means families will have a three-day Easter weekend instead.
At SHS, the ripple effect of this unexpected news is still being determined. Teachers and students wondered which rotation day would be assigned to Thursday, March 28th; however, according to Assistant Principal William Luette, a Day 4 schedule will be followed. (Thursday, March 27th, will remain a Day 6 in the rotation, and Monday, April 1st, will remain a Day 7.)
Posters throughout the high school promote the freshman-sophomore semi-formal dance planned for Wednesday, March 27th, as a “kickoff to the 4-day long weekend.” Since holding a school dance on a school night is unrealistic, class advisors will meet with class officers to determine a new date and plan.
Department chairs who scheduled speakers, activities, and off-site visits for March 28th are rescheduling and switching to March 5th, which presents numerous challenges.
Model UN students leaving for their spring conference in San Francisco, California, on Wednesday, March 6th, welcomed the calendar change, as they now have an extra free day to prepare before their trip.
As much as the calendar change has been disruptive, some students and teachers agree with SHS department chair Greg Ranieri, who remarked, “You have to be flexible in education.”