Posted at: 01/21/2010 7:05 PM
By: Lorilyn Prestidge

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Weather is Trouble for Schools

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- The weather is causing problems at area schools.

They're starting late, closing early and some have been cancelled altogether.

And now schools are coming up with an action plan.

Inside classrooms, Math, English, and Science classes at Forest City Elementary were underway Thursday, but lessons are a little off target.

"Since the start of 2010 we haven't had a full week of school," said Darwin Lehmann Superintendent Forest City Community Schools.

The Forest City Community School District has had five snow days this year, and that's created headaches for students and teachers.

"Yesterday's work now becomes today's work, it really throws our students off whether it's Elementary up to I believe high school, how it's going to impact, some classes are shorter, some classes stay the same," said teacher Sandy Wagner.

"It does put a little constraints on our educational system, we don't have a continual flow of our educational patterns," said Lehmann.

Students are also missing out on things like music and art.

And while some students may be fine with missing a day here or there, officials say five is a lot and that can cause problems.

"Some can get very confused, and upset and frustrated, you know I went to school yesterday and I didn't go today and I maybe want to stay home," said Wagner.

Due to the snow days, the Forest City District is extending its school year until June 6th

And although it may be challenging, it's all to make sure the missed days don't necessarily mean missed opportunities.

"I think right now we all have cabin fever love winter to be over, and get on with the school year," said Lehmann.

"And at some point in time, hopefully well catch up with everything we were supposed to do, but it takes a while," said Wagner.

District leaders with the Forest City Schools say they are lucky because of summer school, the school years extension won't cost much more.

As for Austin Public Schools, they have only missed one full day because of the weather.