There could be a way to make more people happy. There have been many different debates on whether kids should have school or not on 10 degree weather days. Lots of questions have been raised about this topic, there are both pros and cons. According to Lowell Sun article.
Some benefits of having no school would be being able to stay warm, being able to stay off the roads due to potential ice and snow that could make the streets slick. Not having school would also be beneficial for kids who either have to walk to school or students who have to wait out for the bus. This would decrease the chance of students getting frostbite, according to CNN.
The cons about not having school would be having to make up a day at the end of the year and missing school and classwork assignments.
Students at Timberlane High School were asked three different questions what are the pros on not having school on a 10 degree weather day, what are the cons on not having school on a 10 degree weather day, and do you think there is a work around so everyone can be safe and warm without having to worry about getting to school?
Students brought up the fact that students who walk to school won’t be at high risk of getting frostbite, getting sick, or even slipping on ice. According to Smithsonian Magazine water starts to freeze at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. In 10 degree weather water starts to freeze immediately, and in approximately 3-5 hours the water turns into a sheet of ice.
With roads being a sheet of ice there is higher risk for car accidents, sliding, and falling. With teenagers not fully being used to driving in snow and ice, going to school is putting them at higher risk just for trying to get to school.
Seeing the different risks and the main one being there’s not a safe way for all to get to school due to the weather, there can be work arounds to make sure everyone is safe while also getting and is also getting their education.
A couple things discussed are having a zoom day, or teachers post assignments that students can do online and that work can be completed and counted as a learning day. Even an in person or online class is optional so then students who can make it go, and students who can’t can do their classes online.
Not having school could impact students who don’t have heat, power, or even food at their house according to FoxWeather. Making canceling school difficult, because it puts students in different positions. During these decisions, we have to look at the different situations that people could possibly be in, and going to school may be the best source for students without a ton of money.
From students’ perspectives that were interviewed they liked the idea of not having school, but a few of them didn’t like the idea because of the impact that it could have on others. It showed that the students cared for others so then they wouldn’t have to go walking and have the chance for frostbite or the cold. Most also thought about the dangers of trying to drive in the weather due to what the road conditions could potentially be like.
From adult perspectives not everyone is able to stay home, because school is their getaway from their home life. Even though teachers like the sound of a remote day or even no school, they understand the impacts that this could have on others.
