Snow Days At School May Become A Thing of the Past

Parents must understand how beneficial virtual learning programs really are

Introduction

The first snowstorm of the season recently arrived where I live. Several inched of snow fell on top of rain drenched areas. It was a beautiful sight to see. Glistening snow blanketed the landscape and created a picture-perfect outdoor scene.

Despite the beauty of the first snowfall, it also created treacherous driving conditions because the rain under the snow turned to slippery ice that covered neighborhood streets, sidewalks, and highways. The wind chill made the temperature dangerously cold as well.

During the days prior to the coronavirus outbreak, these winter weather conditions would have resulted in immediate school delays and cancellations. Some of the schools in session would have had early dismissals, too. However, with so many schools functioning with virtual programs and hybrid models in place these days because of the pandemic, it was unnecessary for officials to call for school delays or a snow days with this snow fall.

It seemed to me that members of the media were pleased that they did not have to spend so much time announcing school delays or cancellations. This has prompted me along with so many people in the region where I live to consider the following question: Is this a sign for the future?

A Different Look At Education

Parents like me have exercised their right to choose the best educational option for their children for a very long time. Some have wanted to assume a greater level of responsibility in the educational process by homeschooling their children. Others may opted for a private, independent, or faith-based education for their children for very personal reason. Those who are like me who desire scheduling flexibility because their children are involved in rigorous activities outside of school select a cyber school.

For parents who choose to have their children enrolled in traditional schools that offer in-person instruction and learning, the pandemic abruptly stole their rights away from them. Sadly for these parents, virtual and hybrid programs along with traditional schools that kept opening and closing as the coronavirus intensified in many places.

Citizens everywhere have been aware of the parental arguments regarding these happenings and they understand that many families feel as though their children are being shortchanged because they cannot participate in a regular school experience. Despite these strong feelings, something positive has happened in education.

The lens of education has become more broad because of the pandemic. Developing virtual and hybrid programs for students has caused schools to build their capacity to provide a more flexible learning model for students.

If educators and parents open their minds and embrace the creative capacity that they realize they now have, there will not be a need for snow days or delays due to inclement weather or other hazardous conditions. Once the pandemic subsides, virtual learning days may now be used to replace these and many other days off.

There are deeper implications to education that need to be discovered as well.

Virtual Learning Has Great Potential

Parents must join educators in realizing how powerful virtual learning can become for students.

I have listed several benefits that school should begin considering and developing as flexible options for students and families as it relates to online learning.

1. Students be given an opportunity to participate in accelerated programs by participating in additional online programs. Such program have the potential to help many graduate from high school earlier and they have the potential to help more students earn college credits while they are still enrolled in high school. Additionally, students would be able to advance to the next grade level when they are ready instead of waiting until the traditional school year is complete.
2. Schools may offer flexible virtual school times so that students may be able to attend in the evening instead of the day. This would be ideal for students who participate in developmental programs outside of school like the performing arts and athletics as well as for older students who have a job.
3. Virtual programs held after school hours may be used for remediaial purposes to provide increased supports to students through tutoring, reteaching materials, providing one-on-one support, and so on.
4. Many students would be able to enroll in virtual courses after school hours that are not provided at their traditional school during the day.
5. The opportunity would exist for some students to go to school year round.
6. Families who are frequent travelers would appreciate the opportunity for students to attend virtual programs that accommodate their schedules.
7. Experts who work in designated fields of study may teach or co-teach virtual classes offered outside of the regular school day.
8. Increased opportunities exist for students to take weekend online classes.

Virtual programming provides students and their families with endless educational benefits.

Conclusion

It took the first snow fall of the season to make me realize how favorable virtual learning can be for many different students.

Although the pandemic forced schools to create new educational delivery systems to ensure the safety of students and educators, online programming has the potential to be an academic goldmine for parents, students, and educators. Once vaccines are officially approved and the cornonavirus subsides, schools should not exclusively consider resuming their programs as they were before the pandemic. Instead, parents and educators must broaden their perspective about the school experience and embrace a new meaning for it. This new meaning must be one that accentuates greater opportunity for student flexibility, acceleration and enrichment, remediation, and opportunity.

I believe virtual programs must continue to be utilized and improved upon beyond the pandemic.

Thank you for reading this article. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts about this educational matter.

Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.