School is officially back in session, following a week-long closure as the result of icy roadways.
On Jan. 23, Duncan Public Schools moved to virtual learning, as concerns over severe, winter weather increased. Between Jan. 26 to 30, schools across Duncan, along with most of Stephens County, remained closed because of ice on city streets and in school parking lots. Duncan elected not to move to virtual learning for the week.
Work assigned on the virtual day, was due on Feb. 2, when school returned to session.
Daily updates on school closures were posted on Duncan Public Schools’ social media accounts and through the Rooms app.
By the end of the week, the posts had gone from courtesy posts to much more detailed.
“This isn’t how we hoped to finish the week, but safety has to come first,” according to the Jan. 29 post, alerting to school being canceled Jan. 30. “With temperatures expected to fall below freezing overnight and icy spots likely to return on neighborhood and school roads, Duncan Public Schools will be closed January 30.
“Road conditions should improve later in the day, but the morning hours are expected to be difficult for buses, student drivers and staff. We know this closing may cause challenges for families, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we make decisions with safety in mind.”
Students had lots of time off because of the school closures.
While some worked on school work or played video games, others did the best to keep warm, as temperatures remained low.
“I get big jackets, warm soup and stay inside,” Duncan Middle School seventh-grader Red Mejorada said.
The week-long school closure impacted several things for the school district. For instance, only four snow days were built into the school year. With Duncan taking five snow days, an additional day will have to be made up later in the school year. The day will be made up April 3, which is the first of seven Fridays, Duncan Public Schools was set to be out at the end of the school year.
The closure also interfered with eighth-grade students’ participation in freshmen enrollment, which had to be rescheduled.
But the school calendar and school events are not the only things affected by the winter storm.
“I get bad arthritis,” Leahanna Airington, DMS eighth-grader, said about the cold.
As students and teachers adjust to being back at school, things will continue to shift to make up for the lost time.
