WHEELING — School calendars in Ohio and Marshall counties for the 2024-2025 school year allowed for five snow day cancellations if needed, and after a week of inclement weather those days have now been exhausted.

If school is canceled any more this term, teachers and students will resort to remote learning — at least for five more days. After that, days scheduled off for spring break could be eliminated and, if needed, school days could be tacked on at the end of the school year.

“We have five traditional snow days built into the calendar, and on days six through 10 we can do a remote learning day where instruction is provided through different means,” explained Karin Butyn, public relations director for Ohio County Schools.

All students in Ohio County Schools are provided with Chromebooks, all of which have the Schoology app. Lessons and instruction for high school and middle school students in Ohio County would be made available through Schoology, while providing materials for the elementary students would be at the discretion of their teachers, according to Butyn.

“The older kids are familiar with how to log on to Schoology, then find and complete the work,” she said. “Every county does things differently. We’re looking forward to the weather letting up. We miss the kids and can’t wait until they are back in school.”

In Marshall County, students have received iPads upon which to do school work.

Superintendent Shelby Haines explained the first five days are traditional snow days because of extra time built into each regular school day that is banked. While elementary teachers likely will send home some lesson packets with their students for remote learning days, this can’t happen until they have returned to school, she noted.

“If there is a remote day before we get back, it will be tricky but we will make it work. We always do,” Haines said.

At the high school and middle schools, classes will operate on a two-hour delay schedule when there is remote learning. Classes will take place online with teachers, she continued.

There is also an issue in both Ohio and Marshall counties that many homes don’t have broadband internet access.

“That is why we will send some work home in packets,” Haines said.

Also during remote learning days, teachers will reach out to parents, she added.

“There will be parent-teacher conferences for kids who are struggling. We will try to use time as wisely as we can,” Haines continued.

If there are more than 10 school days canceled in Marshall County Schools, Day 11 would necessitate that April 17 during spring break become a school day, while Day 12 would see students coming to school on April 21 at the end of spring break, she continued.

If a 13th day is canceled, a school day would be added on May 29, and on May 30 if there is a 14th cancellation.

Because of the expected weather conditions continuing into Saturday, a number of events scheduled in Ohio County Schools have been canceled.

– The “High Stakes At the Palace on The Hill” robotics tournament set to take place throughout the day at Wheeling Park High School likely will be rescheduled for sometime in mid-February, according to JoJo Shay, innovation coordinator for Ohio County Schools. A total of 38 teams representing six counties in Northern West Virginia had been expected to attend.

– The “History of Wheeling” adult education class with WPHS School Ryan Stanton will not take place Saturday morning as scheduled. The next session is scheduled for Feb. 1.

– The “A Shot In The PARK” archery tournament that was set for Friday evening and all day Saturday at The Highlands Sports Complex was canceled. Organizer Rick Thomas said he is working on rescheduling, but he is doubtful a date can be found that doesn’t conflict with other local archery events in the coming weeks.

– The “Tiny Patriots” program for toddlers about to enter kindergarten and pre-kindergarten Saturday at the Ohio County Public Library will take place at a later date.

Registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes will continue as scheduled beginning at 8 a.m. Monday. Online registration is suggested at boe.ohio.k12.wv.us/, and a phone number to reach the central office for registration also will be posted Monday morning.

Students who turn 4 on or before June 30 are eligible to start pre-kindergarten, and those who will be 5 on that date will be able register for mandatory kindergarten classes.