Joppatowne High Must Make Up Day from Student Funeral

JOPPATOWNE, Md. — Joppatowne High School will make up a snow day on June 23 following the closure in December to allow students to attend a fellow student’s funeral. The Maryland State Board of Education has mandated the makeup date to ensure compliance with the state’s educational requirements.

The school, which closed its doors on December 10, 2024, caused significant scheduling adjustments for students and faculty alike. According to school officials, the decision to cancel classes was made in light of the community’s grief following the unfortunate event.

Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools, Dr. Sean Bulson, expressed his condolences to the family and the community. “We understand how difficult this time has been for our students and their families, and we support our school community wholeheartedly during this trying period,” he said.

As part of Maryland’s education laws, schools must adhere to a minimum number of instructional days. Failure to meet this requirement means schools must compensate for any closures that were not weather-related. Consequently, Joppatowne High’s academic calendar will extend into late June.

This makeup day may also affect students’ summer plans as they will now have one less day to prepare for their summer break. Feedback from the community has indicated mixed feelings about the forced adjustment; however, many understand the necessity of the makeup day.