By Dana Al-Qadi
Gargoyle staff reporter
Posted Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006, The OG, news

LOCAL WEATHER REPORTS are predicting freezing rain, snow showers, and frigid temperatures during the next 36 hours. Such a weather combination often conjures one specific desire within students: the snow day. However, what is the likelihood of Uni students getting one precious day off?

Jan. 4, 1999, Uni's last snow day.

In a typical scenario, the superintendent of a school district will see flakes falling ferociously through tinted window glass, contemplate the 24-hour future of the myriad of students in the district, and then proceed to decide whether or not there will be a snow day.

However, Uni High is not part of a local school district due to its affiliation with the University of Illinois, and therefore the decision lies in the hands of Director/Principal Kassie Patton.

“It's all my decision,” she grins.

“But of course, I do consult with others. Basically, I just keep an eye out for the weather, watch for nearby school closings, and sometimes I call other superintendents.”

Such an autonomous decision means that Uni does have license to close, even if the University of Illinois remains open.

Although Patton, now in her fourth year on the job, has never made that call and closed Uni due to snow, she does understand the difficulties students can have getting to school due to weather. If Uni students residing out of town cannot make it to school, their absence is excused, and even a local student who is tardy due to weather conditions is excused.

“The big deciding factor is safety,” says Patton. “We want all students to be safe.”

The last time Uni had a snow day was Jan. 4, 1999. The first day back from winter break was called off due to a snowstorm that swept through much of the Midwest. John Hedeman was director/principal at the time.

Whether Uni students and faculty get to experience the glory of a snow day this winter season remains to be seen, but safety in winter weather is vital nonetheless. So along with general rules of no sledding with sharp objects, eating oddly colored snow, and wrapping snow around bowling balls as an innovative snowball, people should drive slowly and carefully, and pay extra attention to surroundings.

“The joy of having school canceled is that suddenly you have free unscheduled time,” says Uni biology teacher David Stone. “It's truly a gift.”