With the recent snow in Northern Virginia, the idea of a Code Orange for Prince William County Schools finally had an opportunity to be introduced. After COVID and the widespread usage of virtual learning, extending virtual learning to snow days was bound to happen. In the past, snow days usually resulted in a Code Red or a two-hour delay. However, due to the availability of technology for students and Canvas, a solution for snow days involving virtual learning was added to the PWCS Inclement Weather Codes.
Code Reds and snow days were often looked forward to by many students. As children, snow days allowed for time to play outside with friends and enjoy the winter weather. Even in high school, snow days give students a break from the stress of school as they await spring break. The introduction of a new weather code, Code Orange, added a new experience to snow days.
A Code Orange, according to the Inclement Weather Codes listed on Prince William County School’s website, is in place for when travelling to school is unsafe because of weather conditions. It allows for virtual learning for students and remote working for teachers. Student attendance is required for the scheduled zoom meetings and student cameras are supposed to be turned on. This new inclement weather code is supposed to be used in order for learning to continue from the safety of home, but will it really be effective?
The likelihood of good student attendance for these mandatory zoom meetings is not high. Realistically, most students aren’t going to show up for virtual learning classes, let alone turn on their cameras for attendance. After so many years of Code Red, the idea of waking up for a zoom meeting on a snow day likely won’t sit well with many students. The effectiveness of Code Orange is still up in the air, and when one is announced, the lack of motivation during snow days will likely transfer over to these days of virtual learning. The recent implementation of Code Orange as an alternative to snow days is a large change and shows the increasing effects of technology on learning.
