To avoid student fatigue, as well as to avoid pushing teachers' obligations past their original teaching contracts, many local school districts are ending school earlier than planned.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said on May 7 that schools would be closed through the end of the academic school year in June, but did not prohibit districts from ending earlier. Child care, food services, and remote learning for summer school would continue, he said. He had previously waived the 180-day requirement for students and canceled spring break in April.
The Springs School will now end on June 18, a week early, "to compensate our staff and give our students a much-needed break," according to Debra Winter, the superintendent.
The East Hampton School District and Bridgehampton School District will end classes on June 17, and the Sagaponack School on June 12.
The Montauk School will end next Thursday. "The teachers will be taking a special three-day course until June 16 to enhance their remote teaching skills," Jack Perna, the school superintendent, said in a message posted on the district website. "You all worked through your vacation and through your snow days and I think everyone is ready for a break! Enjoy your summer."
The Sag Harbor School District signed an agreement with its teachers allowing them to use personal days in lieu of having spring break, so it is not ending formal instruction early.
The Amagansett School discussed the issue on Tuesday but had not come to a conclusion by press time this week. Information for the Wainscott School was not immediately available.