Closing for COLD?!?!

"Closing for COLD?!?!" is probably the most common remark I've heard all weekend. It seems that because we, adults who were last in school (K-12) anywhere from 8-15 years ago, were never released from school for the cold we cannot believe that anyone would even have the notion to close the schools because of the cold. I mean seriously, when I was a kid, we played in the snow ALL DAY on days we were out of school! Why can't kids today go to school when it's COLD? So, here's the deal. There are two big issues that officials really (hopefully) thought about when determining whether or not to close for the cold (umm, seriously below freezing) weather. Here they are...(and mind you, these are really my reasons!:))
1. Waiting for the school bus for 1/2 an hour or more in freezing cold temps. (because your bus doesn't drive down your road) can lead to sick children. - I watched many kids leave Thursday afternoon without a coat. When I questioned them as to where their coat was, I was told they didn't have one. Some students' version of a coat resembled a jacket to go with a running suit...NOT something for standing out in 6 degree weather (the temperature at 8 am when I went out of the house ~ meaning it was cooler at 6:15/6:30 when the kids were getting on the bus). Imagine waiting for the school bus in frigid weather WITHOUT a coat, gloves, and a hat (which I'm sure most people had when they were kids!).
2. Classrooms without heat can lead to sick children.- I experienced two days of cool weather in my classroom this past week. We wore our coats, sweatshirts, or jackets for two days straight because the heating unit in my room wasn't working! It was hard for the kids to write because their hands were cold. Our noses were red because we were so cold. Where were we supposed to go? The hallway? No way...cannot crowd the hallway! Home? Heck no! Close for cold? I don't think so! hmmm...Every room is full all day long. There's nowhere to go.
I think both of those reasons really just boil down to one: Keeping our children from being sick in any way we know how. I am definitely not an official in any Tennessee district, but I can easily see what they might have thought about when deciding whether or not to close. So, I don't complain about the extra day off. I will be happy to return on Tuesday to a classroom full of children who were able to keep warm and well on Friday. I guess I just see it from a different point of view. Yes, I'm happy we got another day off from school - I'm sure most people would enjoy a nice break from work! But, I also see taking great care and concern for our students by trying to keep them out of bed and the doctors' offices as much as possible. I don't have kids of my own, but I sure do claim the 20 in my room as my own each day. I like to see them feeling well and keeping warm!

I'll step down off my soapbox now I guess. :) Enjoy the rest of the weekend!