Two-hour delays: we love or hate

By Camila Nito

The majority of the United States recently experienced winter storms that brought dangerous road conditions and freezing temperatures. In order to protect the safety of students and employees, many school districts are compelled to close their doors or impose two-hour delays.

For teachers, parents and students the two-hour delays have a number of benefits. Increased road safety is one of the main advantages. Road crews have more time to clear icy streets as temperatures rise thanks to the delayed start, which makes morning commutes safer. Additionally, it is better for students to wait for buses during the day as opposed to in the early morning. Additionally, later start times allow students to get more sleep, which has been shown to enhance attendance and academic performance.

Some students believe delays should go even further. Merissa Ortiz, a freshman at PCHS, shared her opinion, saying, “I think school should start at 9:00 a.m. because I would have more time to get ready.”

Despite these benefits, two-hour delays can create challenges for families. Many working parents struggle to find last-minute childcare or adjust their work schedules. Some parents at PCHS have expressed that the delayed start time makes it difficult for them to arrive at work on time or manage their daily responsibilities.

While two-hour delays help keep students safe during severe winter weather, they continue to impact families in different ways, highlighting the balance schools must maintain between safety and scheduling needs.