The winter storm that closed Chattanooga-area schools this week left some parents celebrating the technological advances that allowed their district to implement virtual learning days, while others emphasized the value of having traditional snow days.
“I think that it (remote learning) takes away from the excitement of the experience of being able to be out of school,” Margaret Frazier, a parent and speech language pathologist at Ooltewah Elementary, said by phone. “I think a lot of us forget what it was like as a child to see that your school is out and canceled and you had an extra day. Those are core memories of mine, so I assume that they are of my children as well.”
Across Southeast Tennessee, a three-day weekend to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day doubled in length for many students after several school systems closed Friday because of the threat of severe weather and remained closed Tuesday and Wednesday due to icy conditions from Monday’s snowfall.
Hamilton County Schools will remain closed Thursday, and some districts, including Marion County Schools and Sequatchie County Schools, plan to stay closed through Friday.
(READ MORE: Chattanooga-area school and road closures due to inclement weather)