April 2 Rescheduled as a Two-hour Early Dismissal Day

Maya Whaley

April 2 is now a 2-hour early dismissal day instead of a planning and grading from home day for teachers and a day off for students.

Taylor Roar, Co-Editor-in-Chief
March 25, 2015

On March 25, the county announced that, due to the loss of instruction time as a result of inclement weather, students and teachers are expected to attend school on April 2.

Though the day will be short, it is on a two-hour early dismissal schedule, students said they are shocked at the announcement of one less day of spring break.

The original Prince George’s County Public School calendar for the 2014-2015 school year set the dates for spring break as April 2 through April 10, with April 2 originally marked as a grading and planning from home day for teachers. All other days of spring break – April 3 to 10 – will remain the same.

It doesn’t mean much for the seniors, said senior Crishaun Thomas, but “they could’ve told us a bit earlier.” Other students and staff agreed that the announcement was made on short notice.

“What, like a weeks notice?,” remarked Nyla Edwards.

It was “unprofessional that they sent this message a week before” said Spanish teacher Ms. Shauna Watson. She explained that the county sent a survey to teachers about days off from spring break, but that no one shared the results of that survey with teachers.
Others said that due to previously made plans, they won’t be able to attend that day.
“I’m not coming,” said Junior Nyla Edwards. Edwards and others said that they don’t think there will be any real instruction that day.
Sophomore Nana Owusu said “I don’t think teachers are going to do anything big that day.”
“I already have plans, and those plans cannot be changed” Spanish teacher Ms. Clarelisa Rivera said. ” It’s a shame that I have to take a sick leave or a personal leave when I thought that I was going to have these days off for spring break.”
Spanish teacher Ms. Kathryn Morris, agreed, saying someone “should have considered people’s travel arrangements.”
Staff writer Emmanuella Igwe contributed to this report.