The first major blast of winter has hit the Midwest and Great Lakes region, turning a post-Thanksgiving return to school into an unexpected snow day—or, for many, an e-learning day.
A fast-moving storm system delivered heavy snow and ice across several states, leading to widespread school closings and delays on December 1. The disruptions followed a Thanksgiving weekend that saw record snowfall in some areas and treacherous conditions for travelers.
A Massive Snowstorm Stalls the Return to Class
The impact has been particularly severe across the middle of the country. In Iowa, more than 65 schools announced delays or full cancellations on Monday after regions like Des Moines were buried under up to 10 inches of snow. Neighboring Missouri also saw extensive school closings, with administrators citing unsafe travel conditions and icy back roads, especially along rural bus routes.
The storm system was a powerhouse that wrapped up the holiday weekend with a massive snarl. Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, for example, recorded 8.4 inches of snow on November 29, setting a new single-calendar-day record for the month of November. Beyond the classroom, the weather contributed to a massive headache for travelers, with thousands of flights delayed or canceled and hundreds of auto crashes reported in the Chicago area alone.
The Rise of the AMI Day
While the sudden closure gives children a coveted break, the nature of the “snow day” is rapidly changing. Many districts are shifting away from outright cancellations to a format that keeps instruction going. Across Missouri and Indiana, many schools have transitioned to “Alternative Methods of Instruction” or “E-Learning Days.”
This means that instead of a traditional break, students are expected to complete assignments online from home. For parents, this is a mixed bag, as it relieves the pressure to make up days later in the year, but it also means the frantic scramble for childcare is replaced by the sudden need for at-home supervision. The logistics can be complicated, especially for families with limited home internet access or devices.
For school administrators, the decision to close is anything but simple. Superintendents often spend the pre-dawn hours consulting with local police, public works departments, and bus company officials. The process involves looking at the forecast, assessing road safety for teenage drivers and school buses, checking the accessibility of sidewalks and parking lots, and considering how the storm’s timing will affect morning and afternoon commutes.
The goal remains the same: ensuring the safety of students and staff. “Safety is our number one priority when a conversation about closing or delaying school takes place,” explained one district administration, highlighting that conditions can vary greatly even within a single 135-square-mile district.
What to Expect Next
As the winter season begins, this storm serves as an early reminder of the challenges ahead. Forecasters predict that the current La Niña phase, which is expected to peak in December, may front-load the winter with widespread cold and significant storm systems in certain parts of the country, particularly the North and parts of the Great Plains. This outlook suggests that parents and students in these areas should be prepared for more alerts, delays, and E-Learning Days as the cold months progress.
The best advice for now is to check your local school district’s website, as well as local news and weather alerts, for the most up-to-date information on schedules. The list of current school closings and delays remains fluid as cleanup continues. Stay safe and warm, and keep those laptops charged.