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Snow days could mean Saturday school in Richmond

Posted at 7:16 PM, Feb 13, 2014
and last updated 2014-02-13 19:16:02-05

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- On average area schools have lost at least seven days of instruction as a result of the snowy weather this season.

For parents it has been frustrating.

"I just have to figure out what I am going to do, sometimes call in a babysitter," Richmond mom Tara Fitzpatrick said.

For teachers it has been even more of a headache-losing valuable instruction time and prep for SOLs.

"We have to get the hours in, it stinks," a Henrico teacher told CBS 6.

"I teach seniors so just preparing them for their exams and getting them ready for college has been tough," the teacher added.

So how are schools planning to make up the time?

Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond, and Petersburg will have their students attend class on President's Day.

Petersburg even shortened its Spring Break.

And now a new option is on the table for  Richmond Public Schools.

"Saturday school- I think anything right now is on the table," Kim Grey,
a Richmond Public School Board member said.

Grey said the School Board will debate the issue soon.

"There is a lot of apprehension about using Spring Break because some have already planned vacations," Grey said.

While other districts like Chesterfield and Henrico are hoping the hours they've built into the schedule will be enough, this Henrico teacher is just thankful for the internet - where she can post homework and even record entire lessons.

"I don't think we'd be doing as good as we are without the technology," the teacher said.