This winter, the Mount Greylock Regional School District has had more than double the amount of snow days compared to winters in recent years. There has been much confusion amongst the school community about how snow days are decided, how many snow days we have had, and if this amount of snow days will become the new normal for our community.
In an interview with superintendent Joe Bergeron, a lot of these questions were answered.
In the past year, there have been four full snow days and two delayed starts, whereas in other years, the average amount of snow days has been two, and often there is only one per winter.
Snow is very unpredictable, so trying to catch a snow day early to let caregivers plan can often lead to false alarms which are frustrating for everyone involved. So, unless there is a big storm in the forecast, when snow falls Bergeron starts his day early, and makes sure the roads are safe for students with longer, hilly commutes.
Bergeron shared one experience showing how his call can affect everyone at the school and their safety: ‘’I slid a long way down one big hilly gravel road into a ditch earlier this winter. That wasn’t fun, but it was a good reminder of what our students, families, and bus drivers may experience if we don’t get it right.’’
Bergeron is also in close communication with larger agencies and programs such as local highway departments, the state’s emergency management teams, other schools, districts, nearby cities, and even staff on the national weather service to give the community at Mount Greylock the most accurate and safe snow days possible.
All in all, the Mount Greylock community is in great hands when it comes to snow day calls. Even if the school year will creep into the summer, at least we were always safe from much snow-related danger this winter!
