Students have been stripped of their spring breaks. The students in the Orchard Farm School District in St. Charles County that is. This winter, Jack Frost dumped a stack of snow days on Orchard Farm students that initially appeared to be a blessing, but has instead become the reason why they will spend their spring breaks at a desk.
Orchard Farm called off a grand total of nine school days while Kirkwood canceled four. Due to multiple onslaughts of winter weather, Orchard Farm students had more snow days than any other district in the county. Since Missouri law requires districts to reschedule up to 10 days to meet the required 174 days, the Orchard Farm district had to make a tough decision.
“You never know when this kind of weather is going to hit,” Dan Dozier, Orchard Farm superintendent, said during an interview with KSDK. “You have to create a variety of options.”
Orchard Farm officials decided months ago which days would be made up if snow and ice rendered the roads useless. Those included days reserved for spring break. Officials never believed they would have to use those days, but to the dismay of many students, school will remain open.
Instead of canceling spring break, Kirkwood officials chose to add days to the end of the school year.
“Cancelling spring break would be a last resort,” Tom Williams, Kirkwood superintendent, said. “Too many people make plans, buy plane tickets and make arrangements.”
One reason why Orchard Farm has canceled school so frequently is because of its unique location. Perched atop a flat area in northeastern St. Charles County, wind and snow are considered a deadly combination for cars and buses traveling to the school. Snow quickly covers freshly plowed roads, turning a simple drive into a dangerous endeavor.
To many KHS students, the fate of Orchard Farm is a tragedy.
“If I went to Orchard Farm, I would feel like all my work was for nothing,” Rachel Sutton, freshman, said.
At Orchard Farm, students, teachers and administrators have learned an important lesson. Nine snow days do not come without a cost. And as the sun beckons from outside their classroom windows, students will wonder if they paid the ultimate price.
