I guess that's what makes Tacoma Public Schools' current deliberations so confusing.
Sure, there are no bad questions, and the district's recent poll — which asked the public whether students should hop on a district-provided laptop on days that would otherwise be canceled for snow and other inclement weather — was just that: an innocent inquiry. No harm in asking, I suppose.
But for parents? And particularly those who still get night sweats when remembering the many months spent trying to navigate online school while also keeping a job, a roof and food on the table?
Talk about triggering.
Too soon, Tacoma Public Schools. Too soon.
Before we go any further, let's set the stage. Last week, TPS unveiled an anonymous online questionnaire using its relatively new ThoughtExchange software. The poll asks parents, staff and others to respond to a question attributed to new superintendent Josh Garcia. After two years spent adapting to the challenges of COVID-19, one could even argue that the feedback it seeks makes perfect sense.
"Should students participate in remote learning during inclement weather events" instead of making the days up later in the year, the district wanted to know.
According to TPS spokesperson Dan Voelpel, the results of the online poll — which closed Tuesday — will be analyzed by TPS staff and then presented to Garcia. The plan is to share the findings with "stakeholders" in short order, Voelpel said. As of Monday, more than 4,000 people had participated. While Voelpel kept the door open for a potential change this school year, most likely, he said, any adjustments to the calendar would occur during 2022-2023 at the earliest, if that's something Garcia and the school board choose to pursue.
"We wanted to take a temperature check on our school community — students, parents and staff — to see if our previous 18 months of full-time or part-time virtual learning experience made folks more interested in shifting back to it on snow days," Voelpel said. "Once our outreach is finished, we'll take a look at the data and have a discussion about it and see if it warrants a change."
Again, it's hard to blame the district for due diligence, and Voelpel was adamant that the poll was just that. To TPS's credit, Tacoma schools — like those throughout the state — made the best out of a crummy situation, proving that it is possible to conduct classes remotely during a pandemic. That's no small feat, and there's little question that the ability to pivot to online learning will pay dividends in the future if we're ever forced to rely on it again.
That's the thing, though. Just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. Not only does the prospect of putting snow days on the chopping block risk ruining the time-honored Pacific Northwest tradition of forgoing school for snow angels in the yard, it blatantly disrespects everything families have just been through.
Would it be nice for some people if traditional snow make-up days became a thing of the past? Of course. But for kids who are already struggling, and those whose work obligations don't magically disappear when the weather turns ugly, it feels more like a slap in the face. It's a lot easier to make some hot chocolate and turn on a movie than it is to suddenly transition back into life as a makeshift school teacher. More importantly, the learning losses and exacerbated disparities experienced during remote learning are well documented.
Earlier this week, Tacoma Education Association president Shannon Ergun told The News Tribune that the district's snow day poll also caught many teachers off guard. Among other things, Ergun was skeptical that the district could provide enough prior notice to make a quick transition to remote learning possible. She also rightfully questioned whether students and teachers have "home situations" that allow for success.
While the teachers' union doesn't have the power to veto proposed school calendar changes, it does provide input, and Ergun said she doubts doing away with snow days in favor of remote learning is something her members support.
"There is ... something to be valued in allowing students and staff to explore the joy of an unexpected snowy holiday. I know I have fond memories of snow day fun with friends, neighbors and families," Ergun said. "While the technology exists to shift remotely and provide instruction, we need to consider the opportunities inherent in having a day to rest, play and explore."
That's true, and there's no doubt that children across Tacoma will echo the sentiment the next time they press their face to the window at the sight of flakes falling from the sky.
But you know what? You don't even need to invoke snow day nostalgia to make an airtight case against doing away with them. All you really have to do is stop and think — for just a moment — about the incredible hardships that the loss of in-person instruction have already placed on local families.
Hopefully that's not something the district has already forgotten.
©2021 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
