Snow days pile up: parent warns missed week could mean two weeks to catch up

MARYLAND (WBFF) — With schools closed due to snow, thousands of students have been shoveling and sliding their way toward the end of the school week.

However, some students seem eager to return to school. “I’m hoping to go back next Monday,” a 9th grader said while sledding down a Medfield slope.

Doug Eldridge, father of an 8-year-old, predicts it’ll take twice as long to make up this missed week. “One week lost is two weeks recovery.”

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Eldridge also noted a cultural shift, saying, “I do think there’s a seismic cultural shift as far as the abdication of responsibility of parents.”

Dr. Tanya Nichols, a pediatric psychologist at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital, predicts a speedy recovery for students. “Overall children are rather resilient and I think something like a week off of school or pivoting to virtual school…they learn that things don’t go their way and they have to pivot.”

She advised maintaining structure during snow days, suggesting, “Making sure that during those days there’s structure to an unstructured day. With a snow day you can say this is what time lunch will be and dinner will be gives a sense of predictability.”

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Despite some students participating in virtual learning, many parents believe it’s time to return to in-person classes. “I think it’s pretty bad not to socialize with friends and learn in person with teachers,” said a Baltimore City parent Friday night.

“I think you’ll see these teachers will get students back up to speed and back to school very quickly,” Eldridge said.

Barring any weekend snowfall, Baltimore City schools are vowing to reopen on Monday.