Callaway Public Schools students have waited all winter for a snow day, and last week they finally got it. As forecasts rolled in throughout the week of several inches of snow accompanied by strong winds for the area, CPS administration made the call to cancel classes for Thursday. That notification went out shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

As the snow piled up throughout the day Thursday, administrators decided to play it safe and use another of the snow days already built into the school calendar, and keep students home on Friday as well.

CPS uses the district’s blackboard texting system, Facebook, and Sandhills Express to post school closings and late starts.

“As a school we make the decisions that we feel are in the best interest of our children's safety,” Superintendent JD Furrow shared on the school Facebook page. “As parents we totally understand and respect your right to make a different decision than the school. If you have any hesitation about sending your child to school because of weather and road conditions, please keep them home and notify the school of your decision. This absence would be excused and would not count against the student for truancy. Just know that we fully understand and support that you know what is best for your child.”

It is no secret that this winter season has been incredibly dry and unseasonably warm. Prior to last week’s snowfall, Callaway had received only .12 of precipitation since the middle of December. Snow boots and sleds have been sitting in the closets collecting dust, waiting for an opportunity to be used.

The snow began to fall in our area during the morning hours on Feb. 19, at about the time the buses would have been running, and continued until about 4 p.m. Though the strong winds blowing the snow made it somewhat difficult to measure, most areas around Callaway picked up approximately 2-3 inches of snow by the time the system rolled out.

The wind and snow created visibility issues and slick road conditions, leading to multiple accidents across the region. According to a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol, multiple crashes caused various closures of Interstate 80 in different parts of the state throughout the day. As of 8 p.m. on Thursday, troopers had responded to 114 motorist assists and 45 crashes. There were no reports of any serious accidents in the Callaway area as a result of the winter weather.

It remains to be seen whether a school closure decision will have to be made this school year again. With the recent weather inconsistencies, it is anyone’s guess.