Nineteen days into winter and, in my school district like others, we have already had four snow days, delayed openings and early dismissals.

For parents with children in school, a level of anxiety exists to have backup plans, especially if you are a working parent with younger children.

For students, these days are awesome.

I was very fortunate when my children were younger. I had a babysitter in my school district who was able to take the boys to the bus on delayed openings, meet the bus on early dismissals or find ways to entertain them on days when schools were closed.

For many, not only do they have to deal with school closings, they have day care closings and time missed from work.

On Jan. 2, some folks took to social media complaining school districts called an early dismissal due to the impending snowstorm. They were upset school was closing early with no snowflakes in the air.

I disagree.

It could be my son is old enough to be in the home alone on early dismissals. I do, however, have to call him in the morning to make sure he is awake on delayed openings, something my coworkers will confirm. What is it with teenagers and sleeping in?

I understand how the decisions are made within the districts and support them 100 percent.

When there is an upcoming storm or some sort of weather condition, superintendents have a routine which includes consulting with the weather folks, the transportation companies and superintendents in other districts.

On the mornings with snow or ice, the transportation companies send buses out to test road conditions, especially on some of the tricky mountain roads where I live.

Even though main roads may be clear, many of the side roads are treacherous.

With early dismissals, there is a lot to consider, such as will the buses be able to get students home safely before the snow starts and, more importantly, will high school students who drive to school be able to get home before the snow starts.

Although my son has his permit, he does not drive to school yet. When my older son drove to school, this was a huge concern for me.

I always appreciated the early dismissals so he could get home before the road conditions deteriorated.

The districts transport middle and high school students home first and then go for the elementary school students.

All of this takes time and coordination. So, if your middle school student is dismissed early on those days, it is because the buses have to go back for the elementary school students.

Lastly, the districts need to coordinate with Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville to get those students home safely or transport them on late starts.

I have learned not to make travel plans for the spring break knowing more than likely we will lose those days due to weather conditions.

I am also mindful of planning summer vacations having experienced added days to the calendar one year.

I understand the anxiety involved with school closing, early dismissals and delayed openings. However, the safety of school students should trump the anxiety every time.

My social media friends would be singing a different tune if a school bus filled with students had an accident on a slippery road or a high school student had an accident on the way home from school because the schools did not dismiss early or delay opening the buildings.

Instead of complaining, let's thank the school superintendents and bus drivers for once again keeping our students safe.