<p>A limit to the number of days sounds like a reasonable compromise. I grew up in Lake Tahoe which gets a lot of snow in winter, and the school district up there basically required an “act of god” amount of snow to fall in order for schools to close. If you had less than 3 feet of snow on your driveway in the morning, you were going to school. Because of this high tolerance, we seldom had more than a 3 or 4 snowdays a year.</p>
<p>This is good for ridiculous winters like last year when most school districts had to go over an extra week in the summer to make up days. </p>
<p>But for a one off snow day? Give me a break. Let kids be kids. Let them have fun. Some of my best memories growing up were snowmen and sledding during those unplanned days off. Somehow, I managed to still get into top grad programs despite occasionally <em>gasp</em> being a kid. </p>
<p>I think our district handled it well. They took the allotted snow days (5?) then did the internet thing for the rest. Kids had 2 weeks to turn in the internet day assignments, so even if no power, net at home, whatever, they had the option of doing them at the school or library later.</p>
<p>I’m all for snow days and impromptu sledding fun but not when it impacts fun that is already planned for June.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>But not equitable.</p>
<p>It disadvantages kids who don’t have the internet at home, who need to care for younger siblings on a snow day so their parents can go to work, who can’t get access to the family computer because a parent needs to use it to work from home, etc. </p>
<p>Most of the kids who would be disadvantaged are those from families of lower socioeconomic status, but consider that if the power or cable Internet goes off at your house because of the storm, your kid would be disadvantaged regardless of your circumstances.</p>
<p>Of course that is right Marian. This solution only works in a situation where a school is quite sure that the tools - computers and reliable, accessable internet. For instance, my D2’s school provides each student with a MacBook (well, over the course of 4 years we actually pay for it!) so everyone DOES have a computer. They are aware if anyone does not have internet - but I’ll bet close to 100% do. </p>
<p>Last winter our public schools - especially elementary/middle school were able to initiate “blizzard bags” - a bag of assignments that teachers put together after the schools had clearly exceeded the state allotted snow days (by a mile!). Students were given ample time to complete the extra assignments in these blizzard bags - if they did - and I have heard the % completing was extremely high - even in the inner city - they were credited with a certain amount of school days. </p>
<p>Was it the best solution to not being in school. Maybe not, but it was a good solution to keep schools from being open till mid-June - which would have cost mucho $$$$ that budgets just don’t have. </p>
<p>I love when my kids have snow days. Last year one of my DD’s teachers gave them a lot of extra work because they were calling for snow. I thought she was such a Grinch. Snow days are a surprise bonus for sleeping in, sledding, baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and for time to relax a little and be a kid. The seniors look forward to snow days at our school because they don’t have to make up the days if we go over our allotment - an added bonus.</p>
<p>That’s great that you can (I’m assuming by your words) be home with your kids on snow days Kvillemom. Many parents cannot take the same time off due to weather. I happen to have a good bit of flexibility - so guess what? On snow days I DO WORK AT HOME TOO!!! And it’s ok!!! </p>
<p>I don’t think anyone is disputing the enjoyment of a snow day or two. But after literally being off more days than going to school last January, even students were not appreciating the time off. Again, I’m talking 16-17 year olds, not 8 year olds! </p>
<p>ABasket–the referenced article said, and I quote “This is what we will be doing every single snow day going forward,’” so before you chastise everyone else for not appreciating a particular situation, I think you need to realized that they are reacting to the idea of the original post which is, as titled “Good bye, snow days.” </p>
<p>Yes, it would be nice to have emergency procedures for a very long, bad winter experience, but that is not what is being discussed. </p>
<p>and if you don’t think a 16 year old is just as gleeful as an 8 year old upon getting a snow day, you know some pretty dour 16 year olds!</p>
<p>My kids had some days last year with blizzard bag equivalents. They both said they would much rather have gone to school! The material had to explain and then the kids had to demonstrate understanding of an entire lesson so lots of worksheets, etc that felt like busy work to them. They are accustomed to their homework being a step beyond what was covered in class so to do the classroom level work at home was quite a drag. My DS16’s math grades definitely suffered. Not sure about the AP exam results but he could have done better. An extra week of classroom time really could have been the difference especially for Comp Programming. </p>
<p>Sorry posted too soon. I definitely think there needs to be a middle. I want my kids to experience that sudden feeling of freedom that is the gift of a snow day but I don’t want them missing out on beautiful June days making up snow days. There are kids in our district that do not have the same support (Hardware, Internet, etc) at home and I worry about them getting behind as well, especially if there are a string of days off. </p>
<p>Dour, no. But even kids need to feel productive after days cooped up inside- as was the case last year - the snow wasn’t the half of it - bitter cold didn’t safely allow for much sledding and snowman making. </p>
<p>I did read the article, but felt the comments made were in reference to CC comments - apologies if that was not the case - then again, on a message board things can be misconstrued in terms of context. </p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Agreed. For many urban districts, including the one I graduated from, this plan is not practical and might even widen any achievement gaps. </p>
<p>However, if ample time is given to do the assignments, I don’t think anyone is disadvantaged. My D didn’t do her snow day assignments during the snow day but usually later, along with the rest of her HW. They had 2 weeks to turn it in.</p>
<p>Well that sucks. Most schools in snow-laden areas build at least one snow day into their calendar. There was nothing better in school than waking up (at 10:00am) and realizing school was cancelled, going outside and having snowball fights with the neighbors. </p>
<p>Stupid school board is just stealing the joy of children. What a bunch of grinches. </p>
<p>First snow day for us in Central Ohio today. They tried a 2 hour delay but I guess the roads weren’t clear enough to send buses out even then. Looks like they’ll follow the pattern of last year - take the allotted snow days and if more are necessary then go to the online/2 week turn in thing. </p>