Searcy, AR. (LP) — As the colder and other seasons start to come in, the AMI days are starting to come to mind for both teachers and students. These days aren’t in place of the built in days although we still have built in snow days for the school schedule. When a day would come up like this, It would be announced, through a call out, and also over the news stations. This wouldn’t be the first idea to come to mind when school is cancelled due to bad weather or other sort of events. Not everyone has an opinion on whether or not the school system will use an AMI day or a built in snow day. Even though, both are good alternatives for bad weather but an AMI day wouldn’t put the staff or students back in school work.

Also, using an AMI day will not count against a students grade and absence unless they don’t do the assigned work for the missed day. They are allowed 5 school days to complete it as well. Some people have different opinions about these AMI days but overall it helps everyone out. Bailey Grimes a Searcy High School student stated, “With the work given to us for the AMI days it’ll cut down for us to not only to be able get our work done in ten to fifteen minutes but we can also enjoy our day off as well.” The work that is assigned to the students for an AMI day is just over the general topic of that certain class. In each class, a packet is given to all the students and it’s usually 5 or more pages covering the class. These packets or work pages are required to be handed out to the students from each class. There are many small things that go into effect when using an AMI day, and some things are good for both sides. “I think that these AMI days will really help with vacation planning and as well as staying later into the school year,” stated Bailey.

The use of these days will make a very big difference in the amount of “days missed” due to weather or other events. There are still the normal snow days built into the school year but these are here incase if anymore school is needed to be cancelled.

Although both sides have different views about this it seems like there aren’t any opposing comments, yet. Not everyone is used to these changes but Searcy Schools isn’t the one that decided for this change. “The new AMI Days are a new concept for all of us and with the state of Arkansas as well,” stated the SHS principal, Gene Hodges. Everyone is adapting to these but on the same hand people are beginning to like these days. There is a different change to everyone when one of these days come into use. “I’m really for these AMI days, and I feel like it’s a big benefit for us,” stated Hodges. Although we have not got to use one of these days, some people are looking forward to it and some are, not.