Look back and try to remember March 2, 3, and 4. Images of kids running around in scarves with sleds in hand may appear. Recall the discomfort of snow finding its way into boots, pants, and shirts. Also, remember the hundreds of snowmen lined up alongside neighborhood streets, in addition to the cups of hot chocolate that warmed up frozen fingers and shivering bodies. Screams of “NO SCHOOL!” echoed across the county for three days in a row.
“It’s snowing in March?” sophomore Hope Tanner said, not expecting the “winter wonderland” so late in the school year.
Like Tanner, many students were caught off guard with the current “wintery mix.” Junior Madi Eubanks did not expect to miss any days after Monday. “We usually go to school for an hour and then we all get shipped back out once the snow starts sticking to the roads,” Eubanks said.
However, she understood the importance of school closings after her car spun out of control on the slick roads. Moving past the shock, senior Kaitlyn Turner was ecstatic that Hanover actually got real snow days. “I was just excited to go sledding,” Turner said.
Tanner, however, went four-wheeling over the short break. “It was so much fun and now I am getting my own four-wheeler,” she said.
Junior Kori Pack spent her time hanging out with her friends and playing in the snow. Pack said, “I couldn’t drive until Wednesday though, because my car was stuck in the driveway.”
Unfortunately, the short break was not all fun and games, especially when it comes to car wrecks. “The car in front of me suddenly stopped. My only choices were to either run into the back of the other car
or brake and risk sliding,” senior Tiquanna Hill said.
Thinking about all the possibilities of the situation, Hill hit the brakes and slid off of Lee-Davis Road. Landing in front of Covenant Woods, Hill was thankful when a few people stopped to help her during the constant snow fall.
Overall, the rare March snow brought many surprises and fun experiences. It finally gave Hanover the chance to have a snow day, or three, for the 08-09 school year. It left students feeling that winter had successfully come to a close, as they now prepare for spring.
Many students found the snow days as enjoyable, but unfortunately, there are consequences for missing that much school time. Hanover County allows a maximum of three snow days (without side effects). However, Hanover County exceeded that limit. There have been a total of four snow days, not including several delayed openings.
In order to make up the time that has been missed, Hanover County officials decided to make Friday, March 20 and Friday, April 3 full school days. Previously, both of these days were intended to be early release days.
“I had an idea that we were going to have the half days extended into full days, and after the school board meeting, it was declared that March 20 and April 3 were the days that were chosen,” school secretary Jane Gillette said.