The Chronicle @ Kettle Run

Early Snow Foreshadows Frigid Winter

Friday, November 18, 2011 By Sabrina Ferrero

The winter weather has already started, and there are predictions for a nasty winter ahead. The earliest snowfall in Fauquier County (in the past 50 years) was October 10, 1979. On October 29, 2011, the record was almost broken. The surprise snowstorm stretched from Virginia all the way up to Massachusetts. Some fear that this early snowstorm foreshadows what is yet to come. “I believe it will be a harsh winter because it’s already really cold this early,” sophomore Anna Walther said. “I think it means we will have more snow this winter,” sophomore Rebecca Moody said. “I also think it will be a really cold winter.” According to the Farmer’s Almanac, this winter will be a “season of unusually cold and stormy weather.” This winter will also bring a “frigid climate” and “lots of rain and snow.” However, sophomore Katrina Rodriguez disagrees with these predictions. “Just because it snowed a little bit early in the year doesn’t mean we’re going to have more or less snow for the entire season,” Rodriguez said. Some students, such as Walther and Rodriguez, would be happy if Fauquier County gets a lot of snow during the upcoming winter season. “I would be happy because we would get more days off from school,” Walther said. “I would be okay with it because snow days are awesome, and I don’t really care if we have make up days at the end of the year,” Rodriguez said. Other students, such as freshman Alycia Kidwell, disagree, and do not want a lot of snow this year. “Having snow days means we have to make up school work,” Kidwell said. “We might have to come in during what would have been our summer or holidays.” Certain teachers in the school, no matter what they teach, might use Angel Learning so students can complete assignments while they’re out of school on the snow days. Principal Major Warner thinks that Angel Learning is an effective tool that can be used on snow days. “Angel can, and will, be used to support classroom instruction,” Warner said. “The frequency and nature of that depends on the teacher and the activity planned. It is a wonderful opportunity to keep students connected to instructional experiences beyond the normal school day, when possible.” Some students, such as sophomore Addy Foudray, don’t think that using Angel is a good idea. “I think that it’s a horrible idea because snow can cause power outages,” Foudray said. “Some people may not be able to get on.” It is suggested that students make sure their Angel Learning accounts are up and running. Also, stock up on needed supplies and prepare for the upcoming winter weather.