Commentary: Some Springdale Educators Chill Out On Snow Days

Day 13. Thirteen days of classes have been canceled this winter in Springdale schools.

Everybody pretty much knows what kids do on those days: sleep late, watch TV, play video games, sled. But what do teachers -- those people who students believe only exist between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. -- do on snow days?

A sampling taken Monday -- Day 12 -- takes a look. Each was asked: "What are you doing today -- the 12th snow day of the year?"

• Diane Kellogg, gifted and talented teacher, George Elementary School: "I like snow days to get caught up on reading. I make hot cocoa and get my stack of books next to me on the couch. I'm very content."

Her husband, David, is the superintendent for the Eureka Springs School District. She said he spends his days on the phone talking to his school board members, trying to figure out how those students and teachers will make up snow days.

Joye Ryan-Jones, ESL program director: "Taxes." As she did this, her husband Keith made reservations for camping -- hoping for an inevitable thaw.

On previous days, she reported she mopped (a hated chore); cleaned out closets and cabinets; caught up on her reading, "Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Learning Communities" by Richard DuFour; and binge-watched both seasons of Netflix's "The House of Cards."

Tom Dederich, seventh-grade math teacher, Helen Tyson Middle School: Spending time with kids -- watching movies and cuddling on the couch. (They probably would be too embarrassed to have their names listed.) He enjoyed coffee with his wife, Elizabeth, and helped her celebrate her birthday. He thawed frozen pipes in an upstairs bathroom and later worked on projects for professional development programs.

Tina Huddleston, nurse, Hunt Elementary School: "Right now, I'm at Lowe's," she said. She was in the midst of re-staining the butcher-block countertops in her kitchen.

Loretta Mansell, first-grade teacher, Bayyari Elementary School: "Making nachos," as she also helped her sixth-grade son, Gavin, edit a video project for the school district's film fest. She spent more time that day getting organized for Race With the Cure -- she organizes the teachers' team for the district -- and organizing her school's Girls on the Run and Boys on the Move teams for the Race for the Cure. Whew!

John Stewart, history teacher, Har-Ber High School: "Today, we (Stewart and his 3-year-old daughter, Lily) watched a movie, 'Teen Beach Movie.' She watches it all the time. She enjoys the satire, and it has great social commentary." He also listed a haircut, a two-hour nap for Lily and reading a book about the Johnstown (Penn.) flood of 1889 for him.

"We've had lots of quality time," he said. The family got a new tent this season and were supposed to test it out by camping in the back yard, but it was never warm enough. So they moved the couch, got coolers and chairs out of the attic and camped one night in the living room. He also reported catching up on his "correspondence and knitting."

"To tell you the truth, I'm kind of running out of snow-day ideas," he admitted.

Melissa Patrick, kindergarten teacher, John Tyson Elementary School: "I'm in my classroom. Yeah, it's a sad life." She was getting ahead and putting up bulletin boards."

Regina Stewman, principal, Sonora Elementary School: "I'm at home," she said, shocking all who know her work ethic. She was watching and blogging about her school's EAST program's live streaming on Google.

Joyce Pennington, kindergarten teacher, Walker Elementary School: "Making online plans, and downloading ideas for my classroom -- making good use of my time."

Heidi Cohen, sixth-grade language arts teacher, Sonora Middle School: "Grading essays. Of course, I'm working. But I thought this might happen, so I portioned it out and graded my reading yesterday."

This teacher spends her summers renovating her home, but reported no ambitious projects for the snow days. "Maybe I'll vacuum later," she mused.

Brian Horne, ninth-grade science teacher, Lakeside Junior High School: "Fighting a cold," although he knew shoveling the driveway, grading papers and catching up on email were on his snow-day agenda.

Debra Hilton, custodian, Turnbow Elementary School: "Sitting at home doing absolutely nothing. Anticipating (Tuesday), anticipating being home again."

She's been busy this winter, though -- hanging mini-blinds, hanging curtains and building a wall in her garage.

Todd Taylor, math teacher, Springdale High School: "Looking longingly at my pool, wishing I were in school."

Commentary on 03/06/2014

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