Freezing rain delays start of high school semester

Freezing rain Wednesday also put a freeze on the start of the second semester for Niagara’s high school students.

That followed the recent snow and deep freeze that forced firstterm final exams to be pushed back. High school students wrote their last exams Tuesday.

The second semester of classes was to begin Wednesday but instead will start today due to Wednesday’s icy conditions, when all schools were closed as a result.

Brett Sweeney, District School Board of Niagara communications officer, said it’s been an “unusual” week and a half.

“On days like this, it’s an opportunity for students to read and practise their literacy skills,” he said in an email Wednesday.

“Many students also take this time to pursue their other interests and further their learning in those areas, whether it’s music, technology or some other activity. We feel this culture of lifelong learning will be tremendously beneficial to students.”

John Crocco, director of education for Niagara Catholic District School Board, said an exam review day, an opportunity for students to go over how they finished their first semester classes, will take place Monday.

“We certainly had a plan in place for days like this,” said Crocco, pointing out that one calendar day is always set aside for conflicts.