I wouldn't want to make that call. I wouldn't want to be the one making the decision that is always going to make some people irate.
Storm days are a source of much debate for the general public.
"Why should teachers get the day off?"
Unlike many people who are stormed in or travelling on wintry roads, it's a real matter of importance for a teacher to be able to get to work better than on time. Someone has to be there to great the kids getting off the buses or out of their parents' cars. That bell rings to start my school day at 8:50 promptly... with students sitting in their desks... whether I've managed to make the trek or not. I can't simply delay my work for an hour if I need to shovel out. I can't let my "office" simply handle itself. It's a different kettle of fish all together.
But do teachers really get the day off? I'll be working all day at my report cards; something for which I'm grateful, because if today wasn't a storm day, I'd be doing these report cards every evening and weekend from now until they're due at my principal's office. Last time I checked my pay cheque, I didn't get the overtime pay for that last term... hhhmmmmmmm....
Below is a response I wrote to another teacher's blogpost re: storm days. My response deals with school being cancelled part way through the day, instead of first thing in the morning.
I don't think these storm days are "free" days in any shape or form...
