![Alexander Oki ‘28 picks up trash in the lower parking lot Feb. 20. According to Keep America Beautiful, the majority of the trash found on both roads and waterways consists of fast food wrappers and packaging, receipts and plastic beverage bottles. Clubs like the National Honor Society (NHS) offer students the opportunity to earn service hours by cleaning up the trash in the parking lots. “[The trash] makes us look very unhygienic and unmotivated to be a proper school,” Emberlyse Vidal ‘28 said. “It makes us look like we just don't care about our students' environments.”](https://rockmediaonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/20260220_1355020-2-1200x904.jpg)
BREAKING: At 1:16 p.m. Jan. 15, Douglas County School District (DCSD) sent a text and email to parents announcing a district-wide closure for Jan. 16.
DCSD Base programs, preschools, elementary, middle and high schools, Legacy Campus and classes through the Bridge Program, D.C. Oakes, Eagle Academy, eDCSD and Plum Creek Academy are all canceled.
These closures are due to the current weather forecast. Temperatures are expected to be dangerously low, with wind chills as low as -11 degrees, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This makes it unsafe for students who walk to school or have to wait at bus stops and puts both students and staff who man the school parking lots at risk for hypothermia and frostbite. The extreme cold also affects the transportation options available.
“The deep freeze over the weekend has impacted our transportation fleet. We currently have two diesel pumps down and starting buses in the morning will be an issue,” DCSD said in the email announcement sent out.
After-school activities are to be continued unless otherwise stated by the coach or activity sponsor.
“I am super happy about [the snow day]. I’m going to take the time to hang out with my family,” Emma Cranney ’25 said. “I am a little worried about how missing a day will affect some school projects, but I think it will be great regardless.”
Following the closure, Wednesday, Jan. 17 will be a black day, with periods one, two, three and four. Jan. 18 will be a gold day with periods five, Access, six and seven. Friday, Jan. 19 will follow an all-period schedule, modified for the Winter Week assembly.