Old-Fashioned 'Snow Days' Still A Thing In Marblehead

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Traditional "snow days" appear to have survived 2020 in Marblehead.

While several North Shore school districts have opted to switch from hybrid learning to fully remote learning in case of bad weather amid the coronavirus health crisis this winter, Marblehead is prepared to give students a day off in the event of a significant storm.

"My plan at this time — after consultation with the (Marblehead) Reopening Committee — is to call for a no-school, snow day," Marblehead Superintendent of Schools John Buckey said in a letter to the school community on Tuesday. "My experience is that snow days are often accompanied by power outages, which would disrupt remote teaching and learning for our students."

So with forecasts of up to 14 inches of snow for Thursday, Marblehead students might be out s0cially distanced sledding, while those in Danvers, Peabody, Salem and other North Shore communities are on the computer in remote classes.

"I also believe that with the stress we are all experiencing, a snow day would be beneficial for students and staff alike," Buckey said. "It's a simple joy that we can all still have, even mid-pandemic. If the reactions from the first-graders I visited with at Coffin (on Monday) are any bellwether, a snow is still a childhood joy."

Buckey said traditional snow days were built into the 170-day school schedule for 2020-21 academic year and that even if all five are used the last day of school would be June 21.

"As in previous years, if a snow day is not called, parents and guardians have discretion as to whether or not to send students to school," Buckey said. "Please use your best judgment regarding having children drive to (Marblehead High School) or walk to schools depending on conditions in your neighborhoods."

He said any cancellations will be called between 5 and 5:30 a.m. and communicated via the automatic notification system.

Information will also be publicized via the media, school website and Twitter page.

More Patch Coverage: More Snow For More Parts Of MA In Latest Nor'easter Forecast