Photo courtesy of North Central Area Schools Many area schools are facing calendar adjustments to reflect the amount of snow days used this winter. This photo depicts children climbing a snow pile near an entrance to North Area Central Schools.

ESCANABA — Instead of spending what was scheduled as the first day of summer at the beach, many U.P. students are looking at spending more time in the classroom.

Several school districts have announced updated school calendars — or potential updates — to reflect the amount of snow days used during the particularly harsh winter this year.

According to Michigan Law, districts are permitted to close six days per school year due to conditions out of each district’s control, like snow days. Students must also have a minimum of 1,098 hours of instruction each year.

Superintendent Kristina Hansen of the Delta Schoolcraft Intermediate School District (DSISD) stated the DSISD’s Learning Center has used 10 snow days so far this year. Hansen received word Monday that the Michigan Department of Education granted the DSISD three additional days of forgiveness, leaving one day the district must make up.

According to Hansen, she worked with superintendents within the DSISD’s area to submit a letter to Senator McBroom’s office and Representative Prestin’s office to request legislative support for additional forgiveness due to the State of Emergency that was declared.

The DSISD provides educational support to the following districts: Bark River Harris, Big Bay de Noc, Escanaba, Gladstone, Manistique, Mid Peninsula, Nah Tah Wahsh PSA and Rapid River.

“Because I just received word [Monday] about the additional forgiveness, I will need to get with my administrative team to look at the calendar and schedule the additional day and determine a new end-of-year plan,” Hansen said.

Hansen added, “I am hopeful that the legislature will consider the impact of the two late-March snowstorms and grant additional forgiven days, but it is ultimately in their hands.”

Escanaba Area Public Schools (EAPS) Superintendent Coby Fletcher stated EAPS has also missed 10 days of school due to winter weather this year.

“We automatically receive six days, and our request for three additional days of forgiveness was just approved by [the Michigan Department of Education],” said Fletcher. “If no action is taken by the legislature, we’d currently have to extend our school year by one day.”

The last day of school for EAPS is currently scheduled for Friday, June 5.

Additionally, the Mid Peninsula School District posted a statement to their Facebook page announcing this winter’s impact on their school calendar.

To date, the school district has used a total of 12 snow days this winter — six of which were automatically allowed — and was granted an additional three days by the state. This leaves the district three days beyond the allotted amount.

“At this time, our Intermediate School District (ISD) has submitted a request to our state representatives asking for consideration to forgive additional days related to the declared state of emergency — similar to actions taken in previous years for other Michigan districts,” said the district.

The district stated that without further forgiveness from state representatives, the last day of school will be Monday, June 8. Exams would be moved to Thursday, June 4; Friday, June 5; and Monday, June 8, with the 8th being a half day.

If additional days are forgiven, the last day of school will return to Wednesday, June 3, and exams will resume their original schedule.

The Mid Peninsula School District is hopeful to have more information to share by the end of April or early May.

North Central Area Schools Superintendent Travis Depuydt released a statement to Facebook regarding their calendar adjustments, as well.

“As you know, our area was significantly impacted by multiple weather events, most notably Winter Storm Elsa, which resulted in five consecutive school closure days,” Depuydt said. “Due to these closures, our district exceeded the number of state-allowed snow days.”

The district was granted three extra days following their application for additional forgiveness from the state.

Acknowledging the state’s response to their application, Depuydt added, “While we are appreciative of this support, we still have three instructional days that must be made up.”

Adjustments were subsequently made to the North Central Area Schools’ calendar. Final exams will now take place June 1 to 3, with June 3 being a half day of school.

Friday, May 29 will be a full day of school for North Central Area Schools students.

Depuydt noted the state might still grant additional forgiveness for districts across the Upper Peninsula due to the severity of this winter, although his district has been advised to plan as though no additional days will be forgiven.

“We understand that calendar changes can impact family plans, and we truly appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we work to meet state requirements while maintaining the integrity of our instructional program,” Depuydt said.