Schools

Should Sports Continue When Schools are Closed?

Several districts continued with games, practices and other after-school activities despite cancelling class. What do you think?

Tuesday saw many schools across the state close their doors for a second day in a row due to extremely cold temperatures. But unlike Monday, when they cancelled athletics and activities along with class, several of the districts that closed decided to go ahead with games, practices and other after-school activities.

Despite canceling school, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Edina, Lakeville, Stillwater, Northfield, St. Louis Park and others continued with at least some previously scheduled sports and activities.

Most of the districts said they’d decided to go-ahead with the after-school events because conditions are expected to improve throughout the day. Temperatures sat at about -12 degrees Fahrenheit when kids would’ve been catching the bus Tuesday morning. But the day is supposed to warm up to about 2 degrees by the time after-school activities kick off.

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Yet the decision to go-ahead with after-school activities was far from unanimous. Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan, West St. Paul-Mendota Heights-Eagan, South Washington County Schools, Roseville, Fridley, Robbinsdale, Inver Grove Heights, Minneapolis, St. Michael-Alberville and many other districts called off extracurricular events.

Patch wants to know what you think. Is continuing with sports and activities when schools are closed a case of misplaced priorities? Or does cancelling after-school events just cause students to unnecessarily miss out on valuable learning opportunities?

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Share your thoughts in the comments section below.



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