The rumors of the snow days came true as Battleground School District closed all schools January 15-19th; creating change for students as the semester end is near.
Starting Friday, January 12th, the Battleground School District sent all students home two hours early, as a storm was forecasted to hit around the end of the day. They made this decision with students and staff safety in mind giving busses and drivers enough time to make it home ¨safely.¨
Snow began to flurry later that night and stick, allowing everyone to wake up to white padded ground Saturday morning. By Monday conditions were not the greatest, thankfully it was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and students could stay home regardless.
Then came Tuesday, and that was when the district had to step in and cancel school. Ice and snow coated the roads and were only projected to get worse. Although it may seem like just one phone call, school closures and delays have a lot more to them. Beginning with the superintendent who communicates with ¨many different staff members and sources, including First Student, the district’s transportation provider; the deputy superintendent; directors in student services, facilities/operations, communications, and more as needed; local weather forecasts; and sometimes other school districts.¨ Shares Director of Communications and Community Engagement, Amanda Richter. The task is not simple.
By Tuesday night ice had ravaged the roads and they were simply undrivable. This is another thing that goes on behind the scenes ¨First Student staff members drive around different parts of the district early in the morning to assess road conditions.¨ Richter says. If roads are unable to navigate the communications department sends a ¨time sensitive ¨ message to families and staff. Although some staff still report to work if their environment enables them to, as district decisions take into account the ¨273 square miles¨ encompassing the district boundaries that all experience different weather conditions.
Students are required by Washington state law to attend school for 180 days, and having a week of snow days threw worry into many students’ minds with fear of having one less week to prepare for finals or even a postponed graduation. The good news is that seniors will not be affected by these snow days and graduation is to go on as planned. As for the semester end and finals approaching, the semester was pushed back to end on February 3rd, as opposed to the original date of January 26th. ¨I’m so happy that I get another week to prepare for finals, our teachers hadn’t even gotten a chance to go over a review so I definitely didn’t feel ready.¨ Voices Senior, Felicity Heid.
Many students are excited to be back, while some still wish they were at home, ¨I enjoyed having a week off, but I think by the end I was a little bored and ready to be back.¨ Senior Lucille Ware shared. It’s clear that snow days impacted many, but especially the District Office who worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of all students and staff during such an unpredictable time.
