Snow storm’s impact on local schools is minimal for districts, a mess for parents

PITTSBURGH — A big issue across southwestern Pennsylvania on Monday has been on area side streets, especially in the North Hills.

For parents, who were expecting a snow day, the delays and closures during the pandemic have been challenging.

“Hectic. Crazy. Disastrous,” said Jackie Lamparelli, parent.

Lamparelli relies on a babysitter for her 18-month-old child while she works from home. But, Monday morning, her sitter canceled. Then, to make the day more challenging, her five-year-old’s school issued a two-hour delay. “This morning we had to deal with no bus service. So, that meant that I had to spend about a total of an hour in the car to and from school,” said Lamparelli.

And, that meant, Lamparelli had to rearrange her work schedule, all while keeping an eye on her baby daughter.

“It ended up pushing some meetings around for me, because I had to take him to school at 10:30 a.m. this morning. It throws you off obviously. It completely threw off my morning,” said Lamparelli.

Before the pandemic, snow days pretty much meant a day off from school. But, now – snow days could be a thing of the past with most schools set up to go virtual at a moment’s notice. And, while that may sound convenient, Lamparelli says it has become a balancing act.

“It’s like wait. I got to get my stuff done, you have to get your stuff done. So, it just adds another level of battle on the parenting homefront,” said Lamparelli.

Snow days aren’t exactly a thing of the past for some districts. In West Virginia, the state is encouraging their students to enjoy the excitement of a snow day than be on a computer.

Snow becoming more scattered during the day, picking back up again tonight (2/1/21) Snow becoming more scattered during the day, picking back up again tonight (2/1/21)

Cox Media Group