Snow days pile up in Central Virginia, disrupting learning across all ages

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Schools across Central Virginia have been closed for several days following rounds of winter weather. Experts say the time away has both positive and negative effects.

Trinity Smith, a therapeutic day-treatment case manager at Fox Elementary School, works with children as they navigate mental health in the classroom.

"A routine is really important for everybody -- really, especially for the younger kids," Smith said.

Smith said that when schools close, even for a short stretch, many children can get thrown off their normal rhythm.

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"One or two days can really throw any child off a routine," she said. "They could start getting used to waking up later, or eating whatever they want, or doing whatever they want at home."

According to Smith, these disruptions are often most challenging for students in kindergarten through second grade.

She said predictable schedules can help them feel more secure.

"For some kids, it’s best that they know what comes next in the day," Smith said. "Staying on top of those routines can really mentally help a lot of kids as well as adults."

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She added that snow days involving virtual learning can place additional pressure on families. Since Friday, most districts in the region have opted to give students the day off without virtual work -- a change Smith said can have a silver lining.

"Being able to just take a break -- in this case, a three-day break, which is great," she said. "They can hang out with their friends, play outside and just get to be kids."

The impact extends beyond younger grades. At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), religious studies professor Andrew Chesnut had to make scheduling decisions of his own.

"It’s a drive to VCU main campus, Monroe campus," he said. "And I’m thinking, ‘What do I do? Is VCU going to close? Do I cancel [class,] myself?’"

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Ultimately, Chesnut canceled his final exam and gave students an alternative -- just hours before the university announced a closure on Monday.

"RPS and many of the metro area schools are really good about giving advance notification," he said. “VCU tends to be more conservative about issuing full closures."

Chesnut also noted that virtual learning days may not be as beneficial for college students.

"Remote learning is not as effective," he said. "I'm not completely against it. I think it definitely has its place, but I think if we're all only virtual learners, we're only doing harm to our students."

For updates on school delays and closures across the region for Wednesday, Dec. 10, click here.