Del Val’s inclement weather policy strategically uses snow and Distance Learning Days to minimize the loss of spring break, however, the extra days gained from this policy could be put to better use.
The current policy states that Del Val will use snow days first in the case of emergency closure, and DLDs will only be used if the school is concerned it may run out of snow days. These DLDs prevent the school from having to take days from spring break. For example, if two snow days are used very early in the year, the school may choose to use a DLD before the last snow day is used.
This policy is unique among schools and is possible because Del Val has 183 days in its school year, while New Jersey only requires schools to have 180 days. Since Del Val has extra, the school can choose to use a DLD without worrying about using one of the snow days.
The main concern with this policy is the possible at-home technological issues. However, students and teachers have experience with virtual learning and the problems that could occur due to weather.
“We are used to the infrastructure in terms of tendencies with power outages and what areas are affected by weather,” said Spanish teacher Kari Gursky.
The policy also protects the valuable time students and staff have off over spring break.
“I feel like the snow days always somehow manage to cut into spring break,” said junior Erica Wagner. “Whenever we have snow, it’s one more day off of spring break.”
Using DLDs can also lead to extra snow days not being used at the end of the year. The current policy is to use these days by adding them onto a weekend, such as Memorial Day weekend, which the school did last school year. However, adding these days to a different time could be more beneficial.
“I thought that it was nice that they did that last year, but it was boring for me because no one else in my family had the extra time off,” said sophomore Isabella Diaz. “It doesn’t make sense to add days onto a weekend where no one can plan anything.”
These extra days, provided by the emergency closure policy, would be better if placed on the last week of school before finals and graduation. Doing this gives students more time to study for their finals, which most now have to take, and ends classes earlier.
This policy presents Del Val with the unique opportunity to prevent days from being taken from Spring Break and use extra days to help students.
