GATESVILLE — Thoughts of a rough winter, one that included an above average number of days of frozen precipitation, has given way to a beautiful spring.

However, despite the brilliant sunshine and warm days, the past is still the present.

In an effort to catch-up on the classroom time still lost to this past winter’s icy weather, Gates County Public Schools officials has opted to extend the school day by 30 minutes over a period of 12 days.

As of April 7, Gates County Public Schools have to make up six instructional hours due to weather-related time loss from school.

According to information from the office of GCPS Superintendent Dr. Barry Williams, in order to meet the state requirement for instructional hours and with school board approval, Gates County Schools will extend the school day by thirty (30) minutes Monday through Thursday only, beginning with the Monday following the Easter break (April 28).

The extended hours will be observed on the following dates (a 3:30 p.m. release time on each day):

Monday, April 28

Tuesday, April 29

Wednesday, April 30

Thursday, May 1

Monday, May 5

Tuesday, May 6

Wednesday, May 7

Thursday, May 8

Monday, May 12

Tuesday, May 13

Wednesday, May 14

Thursday, May 15

Release times on Fridays during this 12-day period will remain at 3 p.m.