by Kevin Zimmermann
As we get deeper into the cold season, thoughts of big snows interrupting our schedules have to be considered. Because the state of Wisconsin requires a minimum amount of instructional days per school year, schools have traditionally had “snow days” on the calendar in late May or early June to be used if needed. But with virtual classes now in place, are they still needed? We checked the websites of county school districts to find out, and most still have them on the calendar.
May 28th is set aside for this in Howards Grove, Plymouth, Elkhart Lake-Glenbeulah and Sheboygan. In the Cedar Grove-Belgium District, it’s June 9th, while Oostburg didn’t mention makeup days on their website. But virtual learning has changed the way things are done in two other districts.
In Random Lake, if school is cancelled then the first day will not be made up. The second and subsequent canceled days will be Virtual Learning Days.
And in Sheboygan Falls, Virtual Learning Days will be used automatically during severe winter weather. That district credits the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction with making it possible to do away with snow days and instead keeping children learning at home.
