KC Icy Weather Update

Thirty million people were warned about the arctic storm Thursday, Jan. 10,  that was due to hit the southern Plains, as stated by The Kansas City Star.  Winter Storm Gia hit the Kansas City area, leaving 45,000 people without power, according to The Kansas City Star. The 8 inches of heavy snowfall created many difficulties for the students at East, due to the slick roads and power outages.

Due to the power outages, students at East found it difficult to stay warm and complete their school work, according to Vice principal Britton Haney. Roads were deemed hazardous with fallen tree branches and black ice, forcing students to stay home. Haney sent an email to students and parents late Sunday night, which excused students from online assignments. Haney said that whenever there are weather-related incidents, it pushes lessons back. According to him, teachers and students are expected to make plans to extend deadlines and for students to not overly stress when it comes to their work.

However, sophomore Josie Lenger said that a few of her teachers did not believe that all of their students’ power was out. Lenger said that her teachers asked their entire class who had specifically lost power, and the majority raised their hands. The teachers, Lenger said, were skeptical about the large response and weren’t convinced. When asked how her teachers were dealing with students losing power, Josie explained how they weren’t lenient enough with completing class work.

“I just feel like they are cramming too much on us, and are expecting us to do 10 worksheets at night, plus make-up work,” Lenger said.  “And, I don’t know, it can just get to be too much.”

In addition to the power outages, the snow has created dangerous driving situations for many people in the Kansas City area. Sophomore Alexis Proctor believes that students shouldn’t be driving in the snow, due to a higher risk of casualties. Proctor referenced last year’s fatal car accident which left East student Alex Carney dead. The accident, according to The Kansas City Star, occurred due to hydroplaning on an icy road.

“I don’t think it should happen again,” Proctor said. “Due to the harsh conditions and inexperienced drivers, it’s safe to say that students shouldn’t be on the roads in this weather.”

According to Haney, ensuring students stay safe over this weekend is a priority. He goes on to say that the school hasn’t made any plans for this weekend and that they are waiting for the weather to hit. Haney concluded that if conditions are bad, he doesn’t expect students to leave their homes to go find a coffee shop with the internet.

“Their health is a lot more important than an assignment for Math or English,” Haney said.

Alexis hopes this will be the last of the winter storms, and encourages the district to give everyone a snow day. Proctor wishes to be given a day to get caught up on her assignments and to not worry about learning new material as well.