LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — It was back to school for area students Tuesday after an extended break caused by winter weather.
Students and their parents made their way to schools across the region, navigating snow-covered sidewalks and frigid temperatures. At Heritage Elementary School, most students arrived by bus or were dropped off by parents. Those who walked to school had to maneuver through snow and ice, at times stepping into the street when sidewalks were impassable.
One local family shared mixed feelings about returning to the classroom after the weather-related break.
“I am glad to see them back in school so they can get back to learning and get some of that energy out,” said Michelle Stephenson, whose children attend Heritage Elementary.
Her daughter, Paisley Stephenson, was less enthusiastic about being back.
“No,” she said when asked if she was excited to return. “It’s really boring. The only things I like about it are gym class, recess, lunch and going home.”
Her brother, Nathan Stephenson, had a different outlook.
“Yes,” he said when asked if he was happy to be back in school. “Because I like learning.”
So far this school year, Lima City Schools has experienced seven cancellation days and two delays due to weather conditions. Superintendent Andre Rudolph said student and staff safety remains the top priority when making decisions about school closures.
Rudolph also noted that what were once known as calamity days are now based on a required number of instructional hours set by the state.
“Currently, as it stands, if we don’t miss any more days, we’ll still be at about 1,086 hours from a seventh- to 12th-grade aspect,” Rudolph said. “The state requires a minimum of 1,001 hours, and we are obviously far past that. There’s even less required for younger grades, so we’re sitting in a really good spot right now.”
Rudolph said the district would much rather keep students in the classroom learning than cancel classes when conditions allow.
