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Schools Assess Ability to Reopen

Road access, power outages caused by Hurricane Sandy are factors.

Both Huntington and South Huntington school districts are still assessing whether they can reopen Monday after a week's absence caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Continuing power outages, communications problems and impassabe roads are among the problems facing both school systems.

The Huntington district Friday afternoon cited downed trees and wires as a major factor. Superintendent James W. Polansky said that if classes do resume Monday, Tuesday will be an  instructional attendance day for students. and parent/teacher conferences will be canceled.  Six of the eight district buildings have power; Flower Hill and Woodhull do not.

Polansky said the district will place another district-wide call, probably Sunday, to update parents.

Canceled or postponed because of the storm are:
* SAT/SAT II at Huntington High School postponed to Saturday, Nov.17.
* Driver Education for Nov.3 canceled
* Weekend playoff games postponed, new dates to be announced when released by Section XI
* Huntington High School Open House scheduled for Monday postponed, new date to be announced next week

In South Huntington, school superintendent Dr. David Bennardo said that as of 5 p.m. Friday, power is still out at Maplewood, Silas, Memorial, and the District Office.

The storm's biggest damage was inflicted on Whitman High School, which lost parts of its roof covering 16 classrooms and locker rooms. He said the school's leaders will find alternate spaces if classes resume.

But, citing the same concerns about road access and safety, Bennardo said it was unclear that the district could reopen Monday, but that a decision would be made on Sunday.

Although we hope to be able to safely return our students and staff to school on Monday, we must, of course, be sure that conditions are safe and the welfare of our students and staff is protected," he said.

Canceled or postponed at South Huntington are the SAT exams, rescheduled for Nov. 17.

Weekend playoff games, with new dates undetermined

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Ron November 3, 2012 at 10:59 am
Silly. Schools are closed Tuesday for Election Day so just make it Wednesday.
Janet B. November 3, 2012 at 01:59 pm
If schools can open on Monday, they will make Tuesday a school day to make up for the lost days.
Big_E November 3, 2012 at 03:13 pm
Agreed, Janet. We have 3 days to make up, and Election Day and MLK Day are two easy ones to take away.
BPerault November 3, 2012 at 06:03 pm
Just keep the schools closed until the week before Thanksgiving when the power will be on and things back on track. Why have kids out in these conditions and parents worrying about them. No heat at home, no electric, no food, no clean clothes. They can make it up on Saturday's and breaks. Better safe than sorry!
Bill L. November 3, 2012 at 06:19 pm
Neither are possible. MLK is a holiday and the idea of having school during a presidential election creates a ton of issues. Not happening. Cancel Feb break or maybe Cuomo can waive the lost days. It's not like kids are taught anything of value anymore.
Janet B. November 3, 2012 at 06:42 pm
Unfortunately the call already went out regarding school being open on Tuesday...only if the roads are passable on Monday and the power is on at all schools. So if there is school on Monday, they will be having school on Tuesday. But they won't put the children on a bus if the roads are unsafe or if the schools don't have heat. Let's all cross our fingers that the kids (and all of us) can go back to having a normal schedule soon.
FMD November 3, 2012 at 08:15 pm
Are you serious, Bill L?? You honestly believe children aren't taught anything of value anymore or are you just an unhappy ignorant jerk?
NK November 3, 2012 at 08:20 pm
It would be nice if Patch reported on some other Huntington area info. Harborfields, which encompasses some of Huntington, Centerport and Greenlawn announced that they are closed Monday and Tuesday. I live next to TJ Leahy and across from Harborfields HS which both appear to have power. But there are still areas without power and still there are trees down making it dangerous to pick up children on top of potential gas shortages for school buses.
Laura November 4, 2012 at 10:09 am
My son lives in Huntington. Trees leaning against wires. Tree branches with caution tape, you drive like a bridges over head. Traffic lights out.now drivers lined up to get gas clogging the roads. Even if school is open, I would keep them home or drive them myself.
MamaVee November 5, 2012 at 01:08 am
South Huntington is closed Monday and Tuesday - no kids. Tuesday it may be open for staff. Maplewood still does not have power, Oakwood lost power after it had been turned on,. Roads to schools still not cleared of trees and wires.
MamaVee November 5, 2012 at 01:33 am
I may have heard incorrectly but I thought the Gov. said they would waive the 180 day rule. Did anyome else hear that?
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Hillary Hess June 14, 2013 at 10:02 am
Usually cats stay within a few houses of home Sometimes they just hunker down under a neighbor'sRead More shed or deck. He is more likely to come to you at night when there aren't as many lawn mower sounds. Walk around with a can of the stinkiest cat food that you can find. Call to him, and listen for a response. He may answer you with soft meows. Make a trail of stinky cat food to your door and leave the can at the door overnight. Hang up signs with a photo in the neighborhood. Go door to door and tell neighbors to call you if they see him. Kids playing, and dog walkers might spot him. Once you have an idea, of where he is, you can use a have a heart trap to catch him, if he won't come to you. Some cats get so scared when they get out, that they don't recognize their humans. We have had cats disappear for months, before trapping them.
marie.white92 June 13, 2013 at 04:08 pm
Tuesday about 7am at the intersection of Jericho and 110-I think it was 3 cars with an overturnedRead More silver SUV. Saw it right after it happened-about 7 people were trying to push the SUV upright
Pam Robinson (Editor) June 13, 2013 at 05:13 pm
We've checked with authorities on this and they say there were no major injuries. While we try toRead More get to every serious accident, we're not going to be able to cover everything that happens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
marie.white92 June 14, 2013 at 09:45 pm
Well it looked bad-glad that the drivers are ok.