Another storm means more snow days for panhandle students

Kimball, Neb.-- Wednesday's winter storm closed or delayed nearly every school in the panhandle. On Thursday, many of those schools remained closed due to continuing road closures and the snow removal  efforts.

Sidney Public Schools took a different approach to Thursday after closing on Wednesday.  Grades 7-12 will use Google classroom and email to remote learn during the school day, grades 3-6 will focus on missing assignments and getting caught up in their work, while kindergarten through 2nd grade will enjoy a snow day like yesterday.

Kimball Public Schools have not utilized remote learning since the COVID-19 pandemic but Superintendent Trevor Anderson says that could change.

"We have not implemented [remote learning] as an alternative for learning in-person when school is canceled or postponed due to the weather. In light of the multiple extended school cancellations we have had this year due to the weather, it could be an item our district looks at moving forward," Anderson said. Anderson however has a different plan to make up time lost to the winter weather.

"Our district has 1:30 PM dismissals for students on Wednesdays throughout the school year, and if need be, we will make up lost instructional time by having regular days of school on Wednesdays instead of the scheduled 1:30 PM dismissals," Anderson explained. He did point out that as of Thursday they are not at a point where adding time to the school year will be necessary.

Smaller schools face even greater challenges as most of their students are bussed or travel greater distances to schools, making them more susceptible to school closures.  All the smaller schools we spoke with are also still good on time and not planning on adding time or days to their school schedules.