Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, February 18, 1994                   TAG: 9402180281
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM STUDENTS FACE LONGER SCHOOL DAYS

Beginning Monday, Salem students will have a longer day for the rest of the school year so they can make up part of the lost time and preserve their spring break.

Earlier, Roanoke County decided to extend its school day by 15 minutes to make up some of the missed days.

Salem students will also attend school on three Saturdays: Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26.

The combination of longer days and school on Saturdays will preserve a full week of spring break, said Superintendent Wayne Tripp.

He said it also will enable crews to replace the roof at West Salem School during the break.

Schools will dismiss two hours early on Saturday make-up days, Tripp said. Lunch will be served, and instruction will be conducted in the normal manner. Students and staff are responsible for attendance and completion of all assignments, he said.

Students who have religious observances on make-up days will be excused from attendance as they would on any other date that conflicts with a religious event, Tripp said. Teachers and other staff with religious conflicts may arrange alternative work days.