Where's my snow day?

EDITOR:

Snow day? I think not. I've grown up in Douglas County and I'm a senior now. For the past 12 years of my life I have never had a snow day. This has kept me wondering as to why, even when every other district in Northern Nevada does have either a closure or delay. Is education really put before the student's safety? Surely risking the drive through the snow, the possibility of accidents is worth it? I find it a little crazy sometimes of the efforts that our school goes through to ensure that the kids make it there, as do my parents.

Monday was an especially frustrating day. I woke up with about 14 inches of snow on the ground, and I excitedly turned on the news to see school cancellations. Washoe - closed, Carson - closed, and then finally Douglas! - two-hour delay. What? How could this be? I went on with my day getting ready for school, a little happy that at least there was delay, but no, I was wrong. There was not even a delay.

When the news mentioned Douglas County, they were really mentioning Whittell High School up at the Lake. The buses rolled by on time, all chained up, and I missed my opportunity to get to school. There was no way that my parents would let me risk the drive through Jacks Valley in my 1990 Honda Accord. So I am now stuck at home, missing school that shouldn't even be taking place. I know as a fact that many other kids are in my same situation. They either missed the bus because of confusion about delays, or simply decided not to go, thus creating their own snow day.

I understand that it is a huge inconvenience for the school to have an unscheduled day off, because everyone would have to make the missed day up at the end of the year, but if you ask me, it's worth it. After all, a large number of students won't be attending class, so why should the teachers try to start new lessons when vast majorities of their classes are absent? Plus, what is better than a relaxing day at home with hot cocoa watching the snow come down or the fun of sledding down a hill? School puts more and more pressure on kids these days with excessive testing etc., and I think it's time we get a break. Every kid needs a snow day.

Jeremy Tigh

Douglas High School senior

Indian Hills