As we wait to see how much snow we’ll actually get from the impending storm, many students are still wondering if they’ll need to log on to classes if they can’t get to school – or if an actual snow day is a possibility.
Many things have changed in the lives of our children during the pandemic and some believe that snow days are a sacred time for kids just to be kids and that this simple pleasure shouldn’t be taken away. One school district decided back in October that they wouldn’t do away with traditional snow days.
But now that we’re on the brink of a true snowstorm, parents are eagerly checking their inboxes to see what, if any, school their kids will need to attend tomorrow. In Princeton, schools switched today to a hybrid day (Wednesdays are normally all-remote) and said that Thursday would be all-remote unless power outages prevented students from logging on to school.
In Scotch Plains-Fanwood, parents received communication stating that on Thursday “schools will have a virtual single session day in order to maintain our continuity of learning, as well as have an opportunity to enjoy the snow.”
The letter from superintendent Dr. Joan Mast went on to say that “In the event that teachers experience an emergency or disruption of power, Google Classrooms will be updated with activities and assignments that can be completed asynchronously. If students experience disruption in internet service, they can complete the assignment once it is possible to do so.”
In Cherry Hill, superintendent Joseph Meloche said in a video posted on Twitter that even though we are expecting our first major snowfall in two years, school would continue online even if there was significant snowfall.
“I know that this is disappointing to some,” said Meloche. “I get it. I love the snow. However, with our abbreviated daily schedules, there is still time to maintain our continuity of learning, to interact with our teachers, and to play and be outside in the snow.” Meloche also pointed out that saving the snow day allows the school to stay on track with the school year calendar.
Over in Ridgewood, which is currently on a hybrid schedule, in-person and virtual school is cancelled for the impending storm.
“Ridgewood finally gets it right,” posted one parent on social media.
Parents have strong feelings on both side of the snow day argument and many of them have been vocal about it on social media. On the one hand, some feel that children have missed enough school for the year and that the consistency of continuing with virtual learning is better than another day with kids having nothing to do. Others, including many educators, believe that snow days are an important part of childhood and that the chance to get outdoors and get off their computers should not be missed.