Gary Indiana Announces Saturday School Day To Make Up Snow Days

Parents and students in Gary, Indiana are at odds after the school district announced that students would be required to attend school this Saturday in order to make up days lost during the disastrous winter. While many parents and students would normally prefer to make up days during the scheduled school year so there would be no loss of summer vacation days, the fact that the students have to go to school on a Saturday has thrown many for a loop.

According to ABC’s Chicago Eyewitness News, the Indiana Department of Education requires each school corporation to have at least 180 days of school. With the rough winter that Gary, Indiana experienced, they managed to make up all of the snow days to meet their 180 day requirement, that is, until an unexpected snow storm hit in March.

NBC Chicago reported that the March snow storm had Gary schools closed on March 13, leaving the school districts scrambling to make up the extra day. The Gary Community School Corporation reportedly announced Monday that in order to make up the extra day, they would be holding school on Saturday, May 10. “We finally got through one of the most trying winters in decades,” the announced read. “It is now time to address students making up missed instructional hours.”

“It was a tough call, the only other option would have been to put it on the end of the calendar year which would’ve affected graduation dates and seniors being able to leave for their next assignment,” said Sarita Stevens, spokesperson, Gary Community Schools.

Saturday school days aren’t at the top of most kids’ weekend to-do lists, but what do parents think about the situation? According to ABC’s Chicago Eyewitness News, many parents are just as annoyed as their kids, especially considering this weekend is Mother’s Day.

Sterling Wall, one of the Gary, Indiana parents told ABC News that this Saturday class was new to him, and when asked what he thought of the idea he responded with “I think it’s ridiculous.”

Asmar Johnson, another parents stated that “they could’ve found another way, a couple more weeks. A week or two would’ve been suffice.”

While many parents seemed rather annoyed by the last minute addition of the Saturday school day, some believed it was a good idea. “I’m fine with it. More school, more education, all good for me,” said Dominique Berry, the parent of a second-grader.

The Saturday school day in Gary, Indiana will run just like a regular school day. Classes will run their normal hours and food and bus services will be available for all students. What do you think of the addition of a Saturday school day in Gary Indiana? Do you think it was a smart idea, or do you think the school district should have simply added on additional days at the end of the scheduled school year?

[Image via Shutterstock/luminaimages]