The last major snowfall stopped more than a week ago, but Howard County schools are still attempting to recover from the aftereffects of more than 3 feet of snow in the region.

Top school system officials are taking a close look at the calendar after schools have been closed for eight days this school year because of weather. Meanwhile, individual schools are attempting to get back into the swing of things.

The first day back at school went smoothly, according to Patti Caplan, a spokeswoman for the Howard County public schools. Despite a planned two-hour delay Wednesday in the start of classes, buses ran on schedule and students got to school on time.

The only apparent problem was at Hammond Middle School, where the roof appeared to bow slightly under the weight of snow.

"In order to be sure that the kids were safe, we dismissed early at 1 p.m.," Caplan said. Maintenance workers cleared the snow, and the roof was inspected and deemed safe.

"Everyone is back. The situation is resolved," Caplan said. "Overall, there haven't been any major issues with reopening."

Snow days will have a ripple effect that Howard school system officials will have to deal with for months to come. The school system has used eight inclement weather days; only five were built into the calendar. As a result, the school system will likely have to ask the Maryland State Department of Education for a waiver from the requirement that students attend school for 180 days. State Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick said recently that she will ask the state school board to grant such waivers.

Howard Superintendent Sydney L. Cousin has proposed a plan to change April 22 and May 14 - originally scheduled as professional development days for teachers - to classroom instruction days. The school board is expected to vote on the proposal this month.

"We are not going to cut into spring break," Caplan said. "We are trying to make up as much of the instructional time as possible without creating problems for families who have made plans. We are trying to make it up in the least painful way possible."

The three parent-teacher conference days that were planned for Feb. 10-12 and missed as a result of the weather will not be rescheduled, according to Caplan.

"We're asking that the parents that have any concerns about their children's performance to contact the teacher directly," Caplan said. "We want our teachers to be receptive - and they always are - to parents who have any concerns."

The school system will also push back the third quarter so that it will now end April 23 instead of the originally scheduled April 1.

As for the Maryland School Assessments, which are scheduled to begin in two weeks, the school system is hoping that Grasmick will push back the testing dates. A decision was expected this week.

"Either way, we're fine," Caplan said. "[But] it would be nice. It would give us additional instruction time."

At Running Brook Elementary School, teachers used the snow as a teachable moment on the first day back to school.

Eric Soskil, the school's technology teacher, made the most of the recent snow and combined his love of skiing and the Winter Olympics for an entertaining lesson for students.

Soskil worked with media teacher Laurie Lewis on the integrated lesson and whetted the students' appetite by bringing in a pair of his skis.

Students were allowed to step into Soskil's ski boots, which was a crowd-pleaser. Soskil also planed activities for students based on their grade level. For example, kindergartners drew mascots or designs using the Olympic colors. Fifth-graders wrote news articles about the Olympics using credible Internet sources.

"They were excited because it was something different," said Soskil, who told students that he went skiing down Route 175 during one of the snow days. "They didn't expect to see this at school. The tangible aspect makes it more real to them. This takes it to a whole new level."

Other teachers at Running Brook taught a variety of lessons related to the snow. Some had their students write stories about their days off.

Running Brook Principal Troy Todd wanted students and staff to hit the ground running.

"We are going to do what we can to light a fire," Todd said. "The fact still remains that we are a school, and we are going to have to do everything possible to make sure our kids are ready."

After a smooth morning in which Todd welcomed students back to school with high-fives, he concluded that the day was a success.

"It was right back to normal," he said. "Yes, we have mounds of snow outside. But maintenance did a great job. We were able to have a normal opening. All available staff were out their to greet the students and parents. It was a nice feeling."