March 27, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 Midland Park Board of education keeps Friday graduation in 2014 The Midland Park Board of Education last week adopted a school calendar for 2013-14, which retains the traditional Friday graduation and keeps intact the weeklong February break and spring recess. Pete’s Corner closes permanently A long-standing Midland Park tradition has come to an end with the closing of Pete’s Corner Luncheonette in the Wortendyke section of town. The breakfast/lunch eatery unexpectedly closed March 14, leaving regular patrons stunned and scrambling for a new place to gather throughout the day. The eatery was popular with residents of all ages who patronized it, not only to eat, but also to see friends, share the latest gossip, or conduct business. Pete’s opened at 5 a.m., and many contractors or earlyrising old timers started their day there, often returning later for lunch or to catch up on the day’s events. “People are desperate for a place to go to see each other,” said longtime waitress Trish Dunne. “As much as they complained, now they really miss us,” she added. She said a number of patrons came in Monday to commiserate over the loss. Dunne quoted one person as saying, “Where are we going to get our eggs now?” Pete’s closed after the business’ current owner failed to reach an agreement on purchasing the property with the finance company that held the note on the building. The site, which had been inherited from previous owner Pete Kakouriotis by his daughter (continued on page 25) This year’s spring break was reduced by three days to make up the time lost during Hurricane Sandy in October. A previous draft of the proposed calendar had considered holding graduation on June 19, a Thursday. At that time some trustees expressed concern about the impact a weekday graduation would have on the graduation ball and on families traveling from out of town for the commencement ceremonies. Only once in the school’s 53-year history, in 2007, was the ceremony not held on a Friday. School will open for students on Thursday, Sept. 5, with graduation scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2014, the 181th day for seniors. State law requires 180 school days before graduation can take place. Midland Park board policy requires 183 school days for students. The approved calendar includes 185 days, with two emergency closing days. The last day of school for all students and teachers is set for June 24. The calendar includes a full week’s vacation in February (17-21), Dec. 24-Jan 1 closing for the holidays, and April 18-25 closing for Good Friday and Spring Recess. Staff development days are scheduled for Sept. 3 and 4, Oct. 14, Jan. 20 and March 10, 2014.