Columbia addressing snow days with club

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- Parents in the Columbia School District will have an alternative to finding expensive care for younger children on some snow days this winter.

When classes are canceled because rural roads are impassable but primary streets are clear enough for travel, the district will offer a "snow club" at three elementary schools for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. It's a pilot program for now, with just 60 spots at each of the three schools, although children from any school can attend.

Peter Stiepleman, assistant superintendent for elementary education, said the idea came from superintendent Chris Belcher, who challenged staff to think about the days when classes are canceled because of unplowed rural roads or the need to clear trailers of snow and ice.

"When we have snow days, it's really a lose-lose for us. Fifty percent of the people we hear from say, ‘Good call, no one should drive today,' and the other 50 percent say ‘What's wrong with you? Why can't we have school?"' Stiepleman said. "This is an opportunity for us to say, ‘We heard you ... and we're making every effort to do something."'

The club will be held at Mill Creek, West Boulevard and Derby elementary schools. Instructional aides will lead four classrooms of 15 students apiece at each school, divided into grades K-2 and 3-5.

Students at the camp will participate in activities including arts and crafts and physical education and might get the chance to play in the snow, Stiepleman said.

The club will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will cost $15 per child, which Stiepleman said goes toward operating the club and paying staff. All schools sent out notices about the club, and the district already has received more applications than spots available, Stiepleman said.

Columbia parent Amanda Hinnant, who works at the University of Missouri School of Journalism, said the program is just what she needs.

"When I saw the sheet of paper, at first I thought, `Is this real?"' she said. "It's really a godsend for working parents."

The club would be especially helpful when the district calls off school multiple days in a row, Hinnant said, noting she or her husband might be able to stay home with their daughter for a day or two but not much more.

"If they have four snow days in a row, that's a week vacation," she said.

Parents will be alerted by text message on days the club is operating. It won't open in severe snowstorms.

If the snow club is a success, Stiepleman said, he hopes it will be able to expand to more schools.

Pertinent address:

Columbia, Mo.