The D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area was hit by a brutal snowstorm this weekend, starting on Saturday around 11 p.m and extending throughout the day on Sunday. Total snow amounts reached around 7-8 inches with about a half an inch of ice on top, covering roads and more than enough to create dangerous transportation conditions.
As a result of this inclement weather, well over 10,000 flights have been cancelled, and at least 750,000 people left in the dark due to widespread power outages. In addition, frigid temperatures caused by an arctic blast are expected to arrive shortly after the storm system leaves the area, resulting in increased difficulty for removing any remaining snow and ice on the ground.
All of these hazards have caused FCPS to shut down schools for at least one day on Monday, possibly also cancelling Tuesday and Wednesday. With the end of quarter arriving for McLean students in less than a week, teachers have found themselves scrambling to rearrange their end-of-quarter tests, quizzes and lessons.
To combat these difficulties, FCPS should adjust the end of the quarter to a more reasonable time, pushing back the current Jan. 28 date. The purpose of the end of the quarter has historically been to provide students with an opportunity to reflect on their efforts in the past several weeks, and to receive the opportunity to potentially help their grades, which are both very important to their success.
However, with this winter storm and a “shortened” end of quarter due to school cancellations, an unpredictable and rushed academic environment is created for both students and teachers, due to uncontrollable circumstances.
Furthermore, the expectation remains for students to maintain the same deadlines and prepare for assessments, regardless of how many instructional days they will have to ask questions and potentially even learn new, important content.
In order to ensure fairness, FCPS should adjust or extend the end-of-quarter timing in accordance with the inclement weather. If FCPS is unable to make that change, McLean teachers should provide students with the time needed to complete missed work after the storm, so students aren’t forced to do work that should be completed at school instead of at home.
Making this change would show the FCPS’s willingness to accommodate for unforeseen circumstances while not negatively affecting the school.
