The last few weeks in Louisville have been filled with constant wind, mixed with weather as cold as -10 degrees. The week JCPS was supposed return from winter break became a snow wonderland, as we received six inches of snow, with some areas even getting up to a foot. The week we finally came back resulted in limited parking for students and staff, along with ice. The walkway coming from the junior parking lot is a 10-foot path of slick ice. Not only this, but the student drop-off line is a sheet of ice in some patches. If not careful, students may fall in both areas.
While talking to administration, they expressed that it is not their up-most priority currently and that they are more focused on trying to get everyone in the building while we are experiencing this extreme weather. However, if we are experiencing such bad weather combined with dangerous ice, people may get hurt from falling. With the extreme weather and delays with the metal detectors, many have suggested that JCPS should call off school. If we have people as young as five or six years old waiting for the bus in what feels like -4 degree weather, why won’t JCPS declare a snow day?
Talking more deeply with admin, they express that most of them don’t want to be here as much as we don’t. They, too, are struggling with the current conditions, but that doesn’t change the fact that safety concerns should be paramount. The harsh reality is that even a simple slip on the ice can lead to serious injuries. It raises the question: is it worth risking the well-being of students and staff just to keep schools open during such extreme weather conditions? The community needs to come together to address these concerns and ensure that JCPS considers the safety and health of everyone involved when making decisions during extreme weather events. After all, the well-being of students and staff should always be the top priority.
