AUBURNDALE (WAOW) -
Playgrounds at Auburndale Elementary School were empty
during recess Tuesday. School leaders said they kept students inside because it
was just too cold.
"The cutoff for going outside for the students is zero, and
that's the wind chill," said Andrew Place, Auburndale Elementary School
Principal.
But district officials said it's not too cold to cancel
classes.
"Minus 30, 40 with the wind chill, that's kind of the area.
If you get below that, you're press sure you might close school," said Auburndale
District Administrator, Gerald Eichman.
Because the wind chill stayed above that mark, school went
on as usual.
District leaders said keeping the school open was a
borderline call.
"It's a tough decision, but we want to bring them into
school whenever we can," said Eichman.
Aside from having students spend recess indoors, the school
district takes other precautions to make sure children are safe in subzero
temperatures.
"We always advise our children to dress appropriate for the
weather, have hats, mittens, gloves, cover up most of your skin," said Eichman.
"On days when it's below zero, we do open the doors
immediately upon arrival of the first student, letting them into the corridor,
at least getting them out of the elements so they can be safe," said Place.
Administrators said they've heard some positive feedback
from parents about staying open in the cold temperatures.
"Our parents have to work a distance away. So, they're going
to bundle them up and take them to daycare, or they're going to bundle them up
and bring them to school. So, might as well have school. It's a safe place for
kids," said Eichman.
School leaders said they didn't think there were any more
absences than normal.
