It’s a cold Monday morning after a snowstorm. The ice on the roads is thick, mounds of snow accumulate in the streets, a chilling breeze whips through the air. School is cancelled… or is it?
In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, schools across the globe implemented what we now call “distance learning,” where students and teachers participate in school from the comfort of their homes when it is not safe to attend in person. This is accomplished through classroom calls over websites like Google Meet and Zoom. In recent years, school districts including North Providence have initiated distance learning days on what would otherwise be a regular “snow day.” Doing this eliminates the need to tack on another day to the end of the school year. For North Providence, distance learning days operate from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with breaks in between and teachers available for assistance until 2:30 p.m. This condensed schedule allocates just enough time for short educational lessons.
Despite the convenience of distance learning days, the majority of Rhode Island schools have decided to switch back to traditional snow days, completely cancelling school. However, the North Providence School District continues to utilize the opportunity for distance learning, and not everyone agrees with this choice.
When it comes to sudden shifts in the school schedule, some students would rather opt for the full snow day and make it up at the end of the year, but a majority actually prefer the benefit of distance learning days. Sophomore Janiyah Smith says, “distance learning days mean school ends when it says it’s going to end so I like it better than a normal snow day.” This reasoning is sound, but other students feel so drained from school that they don’t even want to think about it in the comfort of their homes. The majority of teachers believe that distance learning days are better because of the same reason Janiyah Smith and many others listed– not having to make the days up. In addition, English teacher Mrs. Leaheey states, “The idea of an authentic snow day is definitely appealing, but I think distance learning is better in the long run.” She explains that “three hours with breaks is still better than six, and you can still be outside in the snow by noon.” Leaheey certainly understands the appeal of a snow day, but prefers distance learning for its utility. The overall population of North Providence High School seems to favor distance learning and recognize its convenience. However, NPHS seniors say otherwise. While some reports agreed about the benefits of distance learning days including no make-ups, shorter schedules, and a later start time, many seniors argue for full days off. With senior graduation already being earlier than the last day of school for all other grades, it is not pushed back further in the event of snow days. Therefore, many seniors who already have a lot on their plate would prefer to have snow days without them affecting their schedule. Senior William Francis brought up an additional point, stating that he believes younger students in elementary school should not have to take virtual days and enjoy their time playing in the snow. Despite the class of ‘26 generally preferring snow days, it is widely agreed upon that the usefulness of distance learning days trumps cancelling school and having to extend the school schedule further into June.
Recently, a five-day limit has been placed on the amount of distance learning days certain districts can have per year. With the “Blizzard of ‘26” occurring just days ago and leaving nearly 38 inches of snow on the ground, North Providence Schools have already consumed all five of their distance learning days, needing to resort to traditional snow days in the future if necessary. Surrounding schools have chosen to take multiple traditional snow days, meaning they make up each of them at the end of the school year, while North Providence schools should get out at the expected June 18th date.
Although the majority of nearby school districts prefer to cancel school in inclement weather, North Providence opts for online school that was introduced to students and teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though we have run out of opportunities to utilize distance learning this school year, there continues to be an ongoing debate about whether they should have been used at all.
