Many days this winter have had temperatures far below freezing, with some even reaching a “feels like” temperature of negative thirty. As a result of these frigid days, students, parents, and teachers alike have raised questions about safety and accommodations for these cold days at Benet.

Sophomore Lilly Jackson had a phenomenal idea: “There should be a set rule for the limit of temperatures where students are officially allowed to wear sweatpants in consideration especially for the girls who have to wear skirts and tights.”

There could definitely be more accommodations for these cold days, and Jackson’s idea for rules to go back to when these situations inevitably show up again. Especially, living in the Midwest, we know that extreme cold weather will only continue. Along with rules for temperatures regarding clothing, it would also help to have a defined temperature where school would become asynchronous. This would help to combat confusion, especially when schools in the area are doing the same.

Moreover, another argument is to not have any work on cold days. There are very few, if any, cold days every year, so it would be nice if there was no schoolwork assigned on these days off. It would be a good reset day in the middle of the winter when spring break feels like forever away. However, having asynchronous days is important because it keeps teachers on schedule, and ensures that summer starts on time.

So far, the school has taken action in providing a shuttle service from farther parking lots like Benedictine and St. Scholastica. This is a step in the right direction because during cold days, students no longer have to face the extreme cold weather.

Overall, there could be more done to ease the minds of parents, students, and teachers to help everyone get through Midwestern winters with ease.