Hurricane Irene Delays First Day Of School

The first day of school for all grades has been delayed by one day, announced Superintendent of Schools Paul Kadri on Thursday.

Kadri said that the two days prior to the first day were reserved for professional development but, due to the predicted hurricane, Kadri delayed the day so that trainers could reschedule their flights and teachers could recover from the effects of the storm. 

"The professional development is important because we have some new initiatives where teachers need to get information prior to students arriving, otherwise it would not be effective," Kadri said. "It's not a refresher course." 

Kadri said the professional development day was scheduled for Monday and has been changed to Wednesday, August 31. Tuesday's schedule – to prepare classrooms and re-orient teachers and staff to the work schedule – will remain the same.  

Kadri said resorting to online and teleconferencing options on Monday would not work. 

"Video conferencing wouldn't be ideal. We wouldn't know the conditions of roads and homes and we want people to be in the right frame of mind to learn." 

First grade through 12 begin school Thursday, Sept. 1. Preschool, pre-kindergarten, and kindergarten have also been postponed by one day, and they begin Sept. 7. Anyone who had an appointment for kindergarten screening will be contacted either to reschedule or confirm.