Snow in theory and practice

from this week's sixth grade newspaper...

Here are interviews with Buildings and Grounds Director Mr. Almeida and Head of School Dr. Thomas López about snow days and snowstorms at Gordon!
 

Gordon News: What’s the biggest snowstorm we’ve ever had?

Mr. Almeida: I have to say that last weekend's storm probably gave us the most amount of snow we have had in my twenty-two years here.
 

Gordon News: How do we prepare for a snowstorm?

Mr. Almeida: We prepare for a snowstorm by making sure that the snow machines are running well and that we have plenty of fuel. It is important that the snow machines are taken care of and ready to go.
 

Gordon News: How do we care for the sledding hills?

Mr. Almeida: Sledding hills are cared for well before the snow comes. We need to make sure that the grass under the snow is in good shape and free of stone, branches and other hard objects.
 

Gordon News: What else would you like to share about your experience with snow days and snowstorms at Gordon?

Mr. Almeida: Snow storms can be complicated. A small amount and it's usually easy to clear.  A large amount and it can be difficult to clear and hard work that can sometimes take hours  to do.  If we add ice and snow drifts to the snow fall, that would make it even more difficult to clean.  Either way, it has to be done so that school can open safely.
 

Gordon News: What is Gordon’s approach to snow days?

Dr. Thomas López: The first step is to determine how serious the snowfall will be. This usually becomes clear within twenty-four hours of the forecasted storm. Then, I get on the phone with the heads of the Providence-area independent schools to see if we are on the same page as far as calling a snow day. Then, I confer with the Gordon Leadership Team.

The schools in Providence proper usually have to call it if there is a parking ban. In rare cases, Providence schools may have to call a snow day, but schools here in East Providence may not because conditions are different. But we usually try to coordinate as much as possible.

Once we decide to have a snow day (which most times is very early in the morning), we send the announcement to parents by automated phone call.

This year was fun because we made the decision the day before the storm while school was in session and got to tell all the students while you were here. I loved hearing the cheers when we announced that we would be having our first snow day!
 

Gordon News: On average, how many snow days happen per year?

Dr. Thomas López: Over the four years that I have lived here, I don't believe we have had more than two snow days in a year.
 

Gordon News: What is the general reaction when you declare a snow day?

Dr. Thomas López: Joy and jubilation! Even with the grown-ups here in Gordon! The winter months can be cold and the sun isn't out much, so the days can be hard. A snow day is like receiving an unexpected gift when we need it the most. I will say that many times parents find snow days hard because they have to miss work or find child care, which is difficult to do on short notice.
 

Gordon News: What do we have to postpone because of snow, and how do we make the arrangements to reschedule?

Dr. Thomas López: It depends on the day the snow occurs and how heavy it is. Sometimes if we're in school when the snow begins, we may decide to cancel after school programs, so that everyone can get home safely before the roads get bad.

If we have to cancel something that only occurs once during the year, it may mean that it doesn't happen that year. I believe this happened one year with our Book Fair, we had to cancel some special events for a snow day and we weren't able to reschedule them. That's one downside of snow days.

Also, if we have too many in one school year, we have to look for make-up days, which might have to be taken from other holidays like Presidents' Day or Spring Break. That's not fun for most folks.

Gordon News: How many snow days have you experienced during your time at Gordon?

Dr. Thomas López: I don't know the exact number, but I am fairly sure that I have called at least one every year I have been at Gordon. Calling my first snow day as the Head of Gordon School was a fun milestone. 

Gordon News: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience with snow days?

Dr. Thomas López: With the developments in online learning over the past two years, I know that schools are considering turning what would be snow days into remote learning days. I think this is a mistake. The current state of our world has forced children to grow up too quickly. A snow day is a magical moment in childhood that is important to preserve. Gordon School will always be #TeamSnowDay!