Jefferson College Students Return to Classes After Snow Days

A series of snow days earlier this year forced many Jefferson College instructors to take their classes online, on a system called Blackboard.

“Even though it is electronic, there are many features that make it like a classroom,” said Dena McCaffrey, director of the Arnold and Northwest campuses. “Blackboard utilizes discussions. You can view video like a typical presentation and post homework. There are all kinds of interactions you can have.”

The school provides training for all faculty on how to use Blackboard and encourages its use in the classroom, she said.

The instructors use Blackboard throughout the year as a supplement to instruction in the classroom and to keep students informed of their grades. 

Jefferson College policy cancels classes at all locations when weather conditions are too treacherous at any one campus, McCaffrey said.

The distance between the campuses meant weather conditions could vary between Arnold and Hillsboro.

Ice at the Hillsboro campus contributed to the decision to cancel classes in Arnold, McCaffrey said.

I brought up changing the policy in a meeting and the members were open to the idea, McCaffrey said. “Because the weather conditions aren’t always the same at each location, I think that policy may be looked at for future academic years.”

Nothing, however, has been decided at this point, she said.

Ken Boning, teacher education program coordinator, tells students to check Blackboard daily.

Boning said Blackboard indicates which students have checked it. Few students were unable to use the system because the storm knocked out their Internet access, he said.

Student Danielle Reinholdt said she used Blackboard to catch up on homework while she was stuck at home during the snow days. “I couldn’t travel on the road,”  she said.

Reinholdt said she lives near Hillsboro, but travels to the Arnold campus for classes.

The nearly weeklong break left many students looking for ways to fill their time.

Student Christina Bruenger used the time to make care packages for soldiers overseas and for needy families.

“Our family sent off three care packages for the military and assembled four boxes of food for families,” Bruenger said.

I like the current policy because I live on the back roads, and our roads are horrible, Bruenger said. “We don’t have guardrails, so you better hope there is a tree in the way to stop you.”

“I don’t want any more snow days,” Reinholdt said. “I want it all to just melt.”