During winter, many school districts will cancel or delay the start of classes due to weather. During the month of January alone, we have had four two-hour delays. Despite the districts careful attention to the weather, school officials and students often disagree on when we should cancel classes.

We polled 50 students about when we should cancel classes. Most students (32.1%) said we should cancel school when we have 4-6 inches. Only 9.4% of students say that we should cancel school if we have any snow at all.

Sometimes, school is canceled because of cold temperatures.  53.8% of students think we should cancel when the temperature is between 0-15 Degrees. The school weather policy states that, “During the months when inclement weather may affect the normal operation of schools, we must be prepared with a plan of action to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

It goes on to say that they will call delays and closings when wind chills reach below -15 degrees. Parents and students get Facebook messages and voicemails from the school if we have 2-hour delays or closing.

It is important for students to remember that school is canceled or delayed for safety. When there is bad weather, the best place to stay safe is at home. Dangerous weather has the potential to kill. For example lighting, large hail, damaging winds, flooding rain, and tornadoes all pose risks to student safety.

Parents might still decide to keep students at home because of bad weather. If the school fails to call a 2-hour delay, it is possible that students get hurt or sick just waiting for the bus. It is important that the school tells us that we have a 2-hour delay so that students are safe and not getting hurt.