School was canceled for four days following a winter storm in the fourth week of January. The storm covered trees and roads with ice and snow. This allowed students to relax and not worry about their responsibilities for a few days.
In the week leading up to the storm, communities across Texas were in a rush to prepare for the weather. Grocery stores sold out of items like milk, bread and eggs.
“I opened my laptop once during the entire snowstorm,” Valeria Segovia said. “I usually study and do homework not long after I get home from school, so I had to adjust. I also had a statistics exam scheduled for the following Monday, which I was not confident about, so the fact that it was pushed back was most welcome. I just focused on catching up on “Jujutsu Kaisen” and reading my book for Book Bunch, ”Not Dead Yet” by Holly Jackson.”
“I believe people did not overreact to the storm because of what we experienced in 2021,” Jean Anez said. “4.5 million people were left without power, and hundreds died.”
Thankfully, that much preparation was not needed. Power stayed on, and some businesses and restaurants even stayed open. While some people dared the icy roads and got in their vehicles or even walked, most stayed indoors.
“I mostly stayed inside for the most part watching ”King of the Hill” and “You,” but on Sunday, I geared up and spent a couple of hours outside with my younger brother sledding down the hills of our ranch,” Abigail Ferguson said.
The storm gave students an unexpected yet needed break from stressors at school. Many found it freeing to be able to “bed rot” as school was getting canceled one day at a time.
This amount of free time gave students plenty of room to get creative. Texans usually receive snow only once a year, so it is best to enjoy it while you can.
“I used a lid from a storage bin to slide around with my friends like a penguin to immerse myself in the winter weather,” Kendra Light said. “I had also put my phone in one of my pockets, and it fell out when I was sledding. I did not realize this. It wasn’t until I got home that I noticed then I went back to get it. It was lying in the same spot as if nothing happened.”
While the break was relished, teachers and students manage to quickly get back on track with their classes. White Settlement ISD will not require students to attend on inclement days.