Orchard View Schools

February 11, 2019

Dear staff, students, parents, and community members

As you can imagine, this crazy winter weather has been a huge topic of discussion around the school district the past few weeks.  To date, our district has accumulated a total of 10 snow days which now has us one day over the total allowable days that can be forgiven per state law.  Typically we are allowed six snow days in our school calendar and can apply for a waiver for an additional three snow days.

So as a result, we have to add instructional time to our current school calendar.  While it seems to make sense to use one of the mid-winter break days for snow day make-up, we realize that many of our staff and families already have commitments they cannot cancel with such short notice. Therefore, using mid-winter break time for a make-up day(s) is not an option.

While it is likely we will add this make-up day (and potentially other make-up days) to the end of our school calendar in June, know that there is still the chance that the legislature may take action and forgive more snow days than current law allows.  There is considerable conversation about this topic going on in Lansing and around the state.

While we wait to see what Lansing does about snow day forgiveness, know that in the coming weeks we will be communicating our plan for adding instructional day(s) to the end of our school year.

It is never easy calling a snow day, but it is always the right thing to do when the safety of our students is at stake.  We will continue to cancel school when the weather conditions are such that student or staff safety are at risk. Thank you for all of your flexibility and understanding as we continue to make our way through the winter months.

Jim Nielsen, Superintendent

Snow Days Letter from J.Nielsen

Complete Snow Day Letter from Superintendents of MAISD Schools