Storm forces many US schools to use up snow days early

New York: With the start of winter still weeks away, the Millburn School District in New Jersey used the last of its three allotted snow days on Wednesday, with three of its seven schools still without power, Internet or phone service since the weekend snowstorm.

In nearby Teaneck, where schools in the 4,500-student district will remain closed at least through Thursday because of concerns about hazardous road conditions, officials are considering adding days in June.

And in Connecticut, where dozens of schools hit hard have been closed all week, the Weston district has already used nine snow days - including four after Tropical Storm Irene delayed the start of classes - and may have to take back days from spring break if snow forces more closings.

"Everyone misses the sense of normalcy and the daily routines," said Colleen A. Palmer, the Weston superintendent.

Across the New York region, school districts are struggling to recover from a surprise storm that has played havoc with their calendars, forcing them to cancel classes, games, club meetings and fall celebrations, and to deplete their inventory of snow days long before winter sets in.

For students, it has meant sudden freedom, combined with foreboding that they may have to pay later.

For parents, it has been a maddening scramble to juggle work schedules or line up sitters.

"It's definitely awesome because it's three snow days in a row," said Sarah Fogel, a 10th grader at Millburn High School, who gave up studying after the first snow day. "But it's annoying because you don't know how it's going to affect vacations. We're obviously going to need more snow days."

The timing was particularly unfortunate for seniors planning to apply to colleges, coming in the midst of deadlines for early-decision applicants. At least 76 colleges have pushed back their deadlines because of the storm.

Public schools in New Jersey and Connecticut must provide 180 days of instruction, but each district decides how many snow days to build in, and when. In a survey in January by the New Jersey School Boards Association, about half of respondents reported that they budgeted three snow days a year, and a quarter each budgeted two, or four or more. A few had none at all.

Mike Yaple, a spokesman for the association, said the early run of snow days was unprecedented. "Of course we know the rest of the year is going to be just fine, balmy and 65 degrees," he joked. "You expect the worst weather in December, January and February."

In Millburn on Tuesday, James Crisfield, the superintendent, sent families an e-mail about the snow days that began: "What a way to welcome in November." On Wednesday, dozens of students packed a downtown deli and candy store; nearby, youngsters lined up for tickets to the movie "Puss in Boots."

"I've had extra days to play with friends and we had snowball fights," said Max Cenit, 9, a fourth grader at South Mountain School. "It's been really fun for us." But his baby sitter added: "Not for all of us."

In neighboring Summit, where many homes remained without power, schools will be closed again on Thursday. Will Yarbrough, 12, said he and his friends were bored and cold at home without power.

Stevie Rainero, a ninth grader at Summit High School, said he had been picking up fallen branches around his home.

"There's not enough snow for me to consider this a real snow day," he said. "We're just hanging out, trying to wait it out."

In Teaneck, where the storm knocked out power to all seven schools, Teaneck High School remained dark Wednesday. Last year, the district used only two snow days.

Barbara Pinsak, the superintendent, said that while some parents supported the school closings, others questioned why it was taking so long to reopen.

"You look out the window and see all the sunshine and wonder, why can't the kids be in school?" she said. "It's very tough to provide adequate answers to our parents who have to work during the day and who are also concerned about their children's education."

Ms. Palmer, the Weston superintendent, said that her 2,500-student district had anticipated a tough winter when it originally budgeted seven snow days this year, and that it had added two more days after Tropical Storm Irene.

"I don't think people ever expected we would need more," she said.

With classes out, Weston High School, which has power but is serving as a community center, has been screening free movies in the auditorium - including a Halloween showing of "Psycho" - and has kept the library open for students trying to work.