OHIO, USA — So many things are different this year, including how schools handle closings due to weather. With so many students learning virtually, are snow days still a thing? Our Brandon Simmons reached out to some districts around Northeast Ohio to find out.
"Actually tomorrow we have a good number of high school students coming in to take their end of course exams so calamity day in this instance absolutely could still apply, said Dr. Charles Smialek, Superintendent of Parma City Schools.
In Parma, some students are still taking classes meaning a snow day is a very real possibility district wide.
"Right now it it's too early to call. I mean we're not at the standpoint that you know this is an overwhelming storm. 36 to 37 degrees, we could be just fine tomorrow morning, explained Dr. Smialek.
But the rules aren't the same across the board, each district is different. In Mentor, where all students are learning virtually, they say it's "unlikely" that they will call for a snow day. According to the district the biggest factors, such as kids waiting outside or whether buses can get safely travel on the roads are not factors this year.
The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is also operating under the notion of not canceling virtual learning. However in a press released issued Monday, they did announce the closures of meal pick-up sites. The locations will be closed Tuesday with plans to reopen on Wednesday.
Akron Public Schools are also using a virtual learning plan, but say their calamity day policy, implemented previously, allows for snow days to remain a possibility.
While many schools have taken steps to prepare for remote learning due to the Coronavirus pandemic, it's still difficult for districts to do it on short notice due to weather as some teachers continue to report to the classroom.
For the latest and most accurate information, be sure to follow correspondence from your district closely as the weather evolves.