This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

A Brief History in School Closings Due to Inclement Weather

As a weather-enthusiast and trained spotter (unofficial, but certified, never registered with the NOAA) wasn't lying that I would search all of my resources to dispell any myths about arbitrary school delays .
I have to hand it to Penny Ackermann who pointed out in her comment a little inconsistency. I really thought they would have a delay last Thursday too!
Here are the considerations that School Districts World Wide contemplate before opening school services during times of Inclement weather:
1. Can our buses provide safe service to all of the students?
2. Can our employees arrive and depart safely even if our students remain at home?
3. Do conditions put any of our students at risk? 

It's a careful consideration. My Middle School and High School boys leave at 7Am to walk 1/4 mile to their bus stop. Not a far walk, but 7 this morning it was brutal! 9 AM, only a few degrees higher, but it was fully light and a slower time for traffic. 10:15 my two Elementary kids caught the bus. Both were properly dressed and hid in my jacket from the wind. 10 AM was a safer time for them.
Now for the goods!
Everything I researched about the 1960's and school closing came up blank. The only thing I found was an endearing account of The Big Snow of 60-61. "Back then, if you could make it to school you did." which translates it was up to the discretion of parents before the whole mandate/mandatory school days thing happened. http://www.register-herald.com/todaysfrontpage/x1200659495/A-look-back-at-snow-of-October-19-1961?mo...
The last storm of Winter 1960-1961 was nicknamed, "The Kennedy Inaugural Storm. " With less capabilities, the NOAA called for DC to have a rain/snow mix. It turned out to be all snow and even Herbert Hoover was unable to fly in for JFK's Inaguration. 
In 1978 Eastern PA did not receive the biggest blows to two historical blizzards, but one person posted of the nicknamed Cleveland Superbomb of 1978 that schools in at least Chester County were shutdown for over a week. http://greekgeek.squidoo.com/blizzard-of-
78f

In closing, share your stories! I remember the 80's. We had loads of 'Snow Days' (BEST DAYS EVER!) that is also term used for extreme cold weather. 1984-85, we had had two feet of snow and a puppy who loved it! I also remember walking fast to school all bundled up too, just not as extreme as this winter.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?