The first quarter of the 2011-2012 school year has been pushed back from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10 due to school beginning two days later than it was supposed to back in September.

Assistant Principal Patrick Micinilio, said that the decision to push back the quarter was made by Staples’ secretary, Ken Wood.  According to Micinilio, the schedule was originally designed based on days off and a set number of snow days.  Because of the storm in late August, changes needed to be made to have the appropriate amount of school days.

Extending of the first quarter has been beneficial to both students and teachers.  Students now have more time to improve their grades and teachers have more time to grade assignments.  Nonetheless, it has also led to an increased stress level in some students.

Shelby Schulman ’12, a stressed out college applicant, realizes the advantages that a few extra days may have for some of her classmates.  “For those applying to college, extending the quarter is extremely helpful because it gives these students more time to obtain possible grade points,” Schulman said.  Schulman believes that that lengthening the quarter has not severely impacted her own grades, but she feels that it will be beneficial for some of her peers.

Cyrus Burris ’15, is indifferent about the end of the quarter being changed.  “It makes sense seeing that we had the first few days off of school and the extenuating circumstances which came with that,” said Burris

English teacher Gus Young, feels the days being inserted into the first quarter of the school year is a good approach to this particular situation.  “I think our administration has done a fantastic job of dealing with the problem caused by bad weather this fall,” Young said.

Despite the fact that Schulman ’13 believes the added days will be helpful to those applying to colleges, it has caused stress for some.

Guidance counselor Victoria Capozzi, says that questions have been raised from anxious students and parents with regards to the first quarter grades that are necessary for early decision.  “The schools which we are aware of that require these grades have been notified that grades will be available on Nov. 16.  There have been no issues,” Capozzi said.  “Some schools even said that they will not be reviewing these grades in committee until after Thanksgiving.”

Whether or not the supplementary days have been beneficial or detrimental, the quarter will finally come to a close on Nov. 10.  The first day of the second quarter will be Nov. 11 and will run until Jan. 26.