The distance learning setup necessary for the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak may facilitate discussions, but with the arrival of cold weather, the idea of ​​studying at home during the inclement weather in New Jersey is not new.

Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey State Association of School Administrators, said that the question of how to maintain a 180-day school calendar in a bad winter without extending the year to almost July can be traced back several times. Years ago.

Bozza said that traditionally, the official school day in New Jersey is made up of school personnel, but the COVID era stipulates that health emergencies of three days or more will allow virtual days to be counted, which casts a shadow over this.

However, he said that apart from pandemics or blizzards, distance learning may be feasible in some situations, such as the late summer destruction caused by Ada, or the flooding incidents throughout South Jersey and the Barrier Island.

The NJASA committee is working hard to submit an option to legislators in January, rather than directly requesting to switch to distance learning when the bus cannot run.

"First, in emergency situations, due to bad weather or flooding, for those emergencies, and second, how can we effectively use it to promote students' interest in learning?" Boza said.

Bozza said that most areas in New Jersey still include snowy days in their calendars, but he hopes to avoid scheduling conflicts when these free days are burned.

"We don't want to extend the school year. We have arranged a graduation ceremony. We have a graduation project. School staff are engaged in other jobs when they think the school year is over, so there are many reasons," he said.

Bozza admits that not everyone wants to use the previous snowy day as a school day, especially the children.

But he believes that state legislators looking westward in Pennsylvania will find a system that works there and can work here.

"After so much bad weather, the remote option is still available," Boza said. "I think the legislators will think this is acceptable."

Since the NJASA proposal will be submitted this winter, Bozza does not expect it to be approved immediately and become a policy package, but said it will definitely be implemented in the 2022-23 school year.

“For most of our school districts, they want us to implement it in January, February or March when the real severe weather starts to arrive in early January, but the legislature is unlikely to act that quickly,” he said.

Patrick Lafrey is the afternoon news anchor for New Jersey 101.5. Follow him on Twitter @plavery1015 or send an email to patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com.