By Samantha Schwartz ‘16

Most students and teachers love to wake up on weekdays to snow-covered streets and icy sidewalks because they get a day off from school. Although everyone enjoys “snow days,” they have been piling up and now will result in an extended school year to make up for the missed instruction.

Montgomery County allows only four severe-weather closings, but the total for the year has reached seven after three emergency closings last week. As a result, the school year has been extended to June 17, whereas the previous last day of school was June 12.

MCPS can apply for a state waiver that would pardon the three extra days missed due to school cancellations. Last year, Montgomery County had 10 snow days but only one extra day was added while the other four were forgiven with a state waiver. Although waivers have been granted in the past, they are not guaranteed.