LAWRENCE: Schools set 2013-14 calendar

By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
   It’s not quite the endless summer, but close enough as the Lawrence Township Board of Education approved the final version of the 2013-14 school calendar, which moves the first day of school from Sept. 4 to Sept. 9.
   The students picked up an extra week of summer vacation after the school board gave its approval to the revised calendar at its Jan. 9 meeting. The revision was made after parents objected to the on-again, off-again schedule for school days during what had been proposed as the first week of classes.
   The initial version of the calendar, which was presented to the school board at its Dec. 19 meeting, called for classes to begin Wednesday, Sept. 4, but then to close school on Sept. 5 for the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah and then to hold classes again on Sept. 6.
   Heeding parents’ comments, school district officials went back to the drawing board and tweaked the 2013-14 calendar. It was decided to keep school closed for students but not staff — who would attend professional development days Sept. 3-6.
   School will begin on Monday, Sept. 9. The last day of classes is June 20, reflecting 181 school days for students and 186 workdays for teachers. The extra workdays for teachers have been earmarked for professional development.
   School will be closed Nov. 7-8 for the annual New Jersey Education Association convention, and on Nov. 28-29 for Thanksgiving recess. Winter break begins Dec. 23, and classes resume Jan. 2. School will be closed Jan. 20 to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
   In February, school will be closed on Feb. 17 for Presidents’ Day, and again from April 14-18 for spring recess. School also will be closed May 26 for Memorial Day. The last day of classes is June 20 — regardless of emergency school closings.
   The calendar incorporates three emergency closing days, for snow or inclement weather. If school is not closed for snow or other emergencies, classes will not be held on May 23 — extending the Memorial Day break — or on June 6 and June 13.
   If one emergency day is used, school will be in session May 23. A second emergency closing day means classes will be held June 6 and a third emergency closing day means school will be held June 13. If additional emergency closing days were needed, school district officials would review shortening spring recess.