Milford School District recently released their new policy on inclement weather, striking up some controversy among the public. The new policy allows the first day schools are closed due to inclement weather to be a traditional “snow day,” with students not required to do any work. However, on the second day, students must work on a printed packet or check Schoology for details on assignments in order to reduce loss of learning time.
According to educational officials, this change reflects shifting priorities and new realities in public education. One of the main reasons for the change is to reduce lost instructional time. The Department of Education sets a minimum requirement for the number of days students must attend. In the past, this meant an extended break for inclement weather required adding days to the school year or shortening scheduled breaks to make up missed days that had not been built into the schedule. Although Milford does not require synchronous learning, which means signing on virtually to attend class, they do require an “old-school” paper packet for learning for elementary students. Students in Grades 7 through 12 should check Schoology for their assignments.
Extending the school year can present difficulties for families, many of whom plan vacations, have childcare issues or simply feel a longer school year is not good for children. Requiring children to learn during snow days helps districts avoid those problems.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, schools switched to the use of laptops, tablets and learning management systems, making remote learning more feasible. With students issued electronic devices at the start of the school year, teachers can now post assignments, host virtual lessons or provide independent learning options on short notice.
However, the district is quick to point out that this is not the same learning as it was during the pandemic. Instead, the district opts for asynchronous learning, which means students complete the work on their own schedule rather than attend live classes. This means students can still spend time out in the snow, building snowman and having snowball fights, and complete their assignments as if it were simply additional homework.
Another purpose for learning during a snow day is instructional continuity. Education experts argue that frequent breaks in learning can make it harder for students to stay engaged, particularly in subjects like math and reading where skills build over time. By continuing instruction during a weather closure, students maintain routines and reduce the need for review when in-person classes begin again.
In Milford, the policy only takes effect if schools are closed more than one day. According to officials, this is to strike a balance, allowing students to enjoy a traditional snow day before requiring schoolwork to be completed. This has met with mixed reviews however, with some feeling that “kids should be allowed to be kids.” Teachers have also expressed concerns about workload, planning demands and ensuring that all students have access to what they need at home.
Milford addresses some of this inequity by sending home paper-based packets at the start of January and February when winter weather is common. Packets can also be found on the district website. Schoology will be used for older students. This way, the student completes the work on their own schedule. However, district officials say that this shift reflects a broader change in how schools operate. As technology becomes more integrated in daily instruction, the definition of a “school day” has expanded beyond the classroom.
The district points out that the era of a classic, fun snow day is not over as that is built into the policy. Instead, asynchronous learning allows students to remain focused on learning at their own pace, reducing lost instructional time.
Milford School District’s inclement weather policy and a link to packets can be found online.
