LA CROSSE, Wis. (WXOW) – The La Crosse School District needs to make up time. While the district planned for two snow days during the current school year, so far, they’ve had five. To meet state requirements, they’ve had to make some adjustments rather than extend the school year. If there are any additional days they’re closed, they’ll make further changes.
Here’s the plan they released Thursday:
All Schools – The early release days scheduled for March 15 and May 10 will now be scheduled as full school days. Afternoon preschool will be available on March 15 and May 10 because of the new full-day schedule. The last day of school, June 5, will be a two-hour early dismissal instead of the normal three-hour early dismissal.
Elementary and middle schools – Starting on Thursday, March 7, the district’s elementary and middle school dismissal times will be extended. Elementary schools will end their school days 8 minutes later at each building. Middle schools will end their school days 10 minutes later. Both extensions will last through the end of this school year. These changes will allow elementary and middle schools to meet the state requirements for total minutes of instruction.
High schools – The district’s high schools already have a longer scheduled school day. With the 5 closure days due to inclement weather, the high schools are still close to having the required instructional minutes with the help of adding back the May 15 and May 10 early release days. The high schools will need to cancel two extended learning days between March 7 and the end of the school year to meet the state requirements but will not need to extend their afternoon dismissal times. Each high school will determine which two extended learning days to cancel and follow-up with their families.
Parents and guardians of students who ride the bus at all grade levels should expect their students to arrive home about 10 minutes later than normal, beginning March 7.
