A drawn-out week of on-and-off snow and ice has kept Southwest Washington at a standstill, but most kids probably wouldn’t complain too much: They haven’t had school all week.
Of course, the fun must come to an end soon. Districts in Clark County will have students attend school on a handful of days off built into their calendars as makeup days for lost class time, as well as extend the school year.
Districts may have to add even more days, however, if severe weather continues.
Noah Alviz, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Portland office, said sustained eastern winds from the “freezer door” of the Columbia River Gorge brought light to moderate freezing rain throughout the region Thursday. The weather service doesn’t expect more freezing rain or snow today. Temperatures are expected to slightly warm up to the mid- to high 30s, with light showers.
By the weekend, Alviz said, the region should transition back to more seasonable weather, with temperatures rising to the mid-40s. Rain can be expected throughout the weekend and into next week, which should help thaw remaining ice and snow.
New calendars
Barring any additional weather-related closures in the coming weeks, here are the expected schedules for each district’s makeup days:
- Evergreen Public Schools will add instructional days on June 17, 18 and 20 — extending the school year by three days. June 19 remains a federal holiday.
- Vancouver Public Schools will add instructional days on March 15, April 26 and June 17 — extending the school year by one day.
- Battle Ground Public Schools will add instructional days on March 15, June 13 and June 14 — extending the school year by two days. The district’s north-end schools also had another weather-related closure this year on Jan. 10; a district representative said Thursday they would explore seeking a waiver from the state for the unexpected closure.
- The Camas School District will add instructional days on May 24, June 17 and June 18 — extending the school year by two days.
- The Ridgefield School District will add instructional days on March 22, June 14 and June 17 — extending the school year by two days.
- The Washougal School District will add instructional days on March 8, May 24 and June 17 — extending the school year by one day.
- The La Center School District will add instructional days on March 22, June 13 and June 14 — extending the school year by two days.
- The Hockinson School District will add instructional days on March 15, June 14 and June 17 — extending the school year by two days.
