On January 26, 27 and 28, Perry Township Schools did not have in-person schooling due to the severe weather and street conditions brought about by a winter storm. Instead, the district decided to have students log in synchronously to attend their classes for all three days. This decision brought about discussion on the consistency of the situations needed for school to be moved to e-learning.

Many students were excited about the opportunity to do more activities that they would be unable to do on a normal school day. “I played video games and I played with my siblings out in the snow. It was mostly a chill day,” freshman Jalen Bailey said. “I went to the Healthplex to play tennis with Elias Debikey,” sophomore Collin Smothers said. 

These students gained from the shortened, away-from-the-building school day and were able to make the most of it, showing that it is still possible to connect with people and make the most out of a day even when situations are unconventional.

Some people, however, thought that three days was not enough time to be out due to the road and temperature conditions on January 29 and 30. 

“Today and yesterday, it was like a billion degrees colder than Wednesday and Tuesday were. We should not have had [in-person] school today and yesterday,” junior Mackenzie Cole said. The National Weather Service issued a Special Weather Statement for many areas and states that were impacted by the storm, including Marion County, where Perry Township Schools are located. One student, senior Thomas Darkhuah, explained how the township’s decisions confused many and felt inconsistent, saying “So, the logic is Wednesday, it was too cold to have school. This morning, [January 29], it was negative eight degrees, which is colder than negative two on Wednesday, and [the township] decided to open school. Bull crap.”

 The township argues that decisions are made with students in mind, and careful consideration was taken to ensure the safety of both students, teachers and drivers during these situations.

While the e-learning decisions confuse some, students still choose to make the most out of school days whether they are inside or outside the classroom.