Hopewell Valley 2003-04 school calendar approved

School board OKs plan that would open school Sept. 4 and end it on June 18.

By John Tredrea
   The Hopewell Valley Regional School District’s 2003-2004 academic year will begin Sept. 4 and end June 18, under a calendar approved by the school board Monday night.
   The school year could end one or two days earlier if two snow days are unused.
   Teachers will begin work Sept. 2, the day after Labor Day.
   The calendar includes 182 school days for students, two more than the minimum required by state law.
   The board vote in favor of the calendar was 8-2. Steve Woods and board President Sally Turner voted "no."
   Mr. Woods was concerned that scheduling spring break from April 5-12, inclusive, as the calendar does, could conflict with college visits by high school students. Superintendent Robert Sopko said there would be no problems in that regard.
   Ms. Turner expressed dissatisfaction that there is no school April 12, a Monday.
   Winter break will be Dec. 24 through Jan. 2, inclusive.
   School will be closed Nov. 6 and 7 for the state teacher’s convention.
   Also continuing the practice of many years, there will be half-day of school the day before Thanksgiving and a number of half-days for staff development and parent-teacher conferences.