Indian Lake Local Schools will be extending the school day to make up for instructional time lost during inclement weather this very difficult winter. Beginning March 23rd all buildings will start classes at 7:45 am and finish classes at 3:15 pm. This is an addition of 15 minutes to the start of the school day and to the end of the school day, for a total of 30 minutes extra per day.
At this time, Indian Lake has missed 12 days of school…4 days of school beyond the state-permitted 5 calamity days and 3 Blizzard Bag days. This means senior students would lack by four days the required amount of class time needed to graduate at the scheduled graduation date of May 24th.
Superintendent Pat O’Donnell explains, “The extended days starting March 23rd will be enough to fulfill the time seniors need to be eligible for graduating on time. We did not want to change the traditional graduation weekend because we know many parents have already made plans surrounding this occasion. Furthermore, the extended days will allow for additional, quality time in the classroom for all students who will be required to take another round of state tests at the end of April and beginning of May.”
With the additional half-hour per day, the last day for all students, except seniors, will be May 28th.
Indian Lake Education Association members have already voted to accept this plan and Indian Lake Association of Classified Employees are also in support. Board members approved the extension at their meeting Monday, March 16th.