Schools Facing Reality of More Snow Days, look to add days, pivot online in response
MARYLAND- The rough winter weather is putting some Delmarva school districts that are out of snow days in a tough place, as more inclement weather approaches. The Dorchester County School District had set aside 4 days for closures but have already used 6 days as a result of snow and flooding.
School officials say, the school year can’t run past June 30th, so they are looking to add days where they can, as well as reaching out to the state for help.
“We are going to ask for a waiver from the school superintendent about the state of emergency Dorchester county was in to try and get back some days,” said Dorchester County Superintendent David Bromwell.
For Worcester County, their district is reacting to a change in the rules that is making them shift what was their plan for snow days. They had announced a snow day plan where students would work through posted assignments online and on their own until the state announced just a few days later, that option was out. The state superintendent announced that all schools were required to have 4 hours of instruction during remote learning days, including those designated during snow days.
Worcester County School District Assistant Superintendent Annette Wallace told 47ABC that the 4-hour requirement will be tough, especially for younger kids, but teachers are rising to the challenge.
“We were a little disappointed because when were virtual 4 hours is a long time for a kindergarten to the 3rd-grade student if you have been around those ages you know 4 hours is a long time so while that’s a challenge for us we feel some learning is still better than no learning,” said Assitant Superintendent Annette Wallace.
She says her district will also be petitioning the state superintendent to get some days off the schedule. Wallace told 47ABC for most grade levels- learning drops off fast after the first weeks of June, and she wants to have as many days where they can do the most for students.
