“We’re just doing things together,” Leach, a Salisbury resident, said Thursday, taking a break from reading with her two grandchildren at the downtown Rowan County Library. “We get in the car and go places.”

But her grandchildren — like most children interviewed Thursday — said they were ready to return this morning.

Joe McGee, a senior at West Rowan High School, has played in the snow all he can stand.

“Basically,” McGee said, “I’m tired of it. I had hoped I was to going graduate this year, but I don’t even know if I go there anymore.”

Laura Lofthus, a Salisbury High School sophomore, browsed through CDs at Salisbury Mall with two friends. Missing school wouldn’t be a problem if she didn’t have to make those days up.

“I get excited about it,” she said. “Ijust don’t want to lose spring break.”

Lofthus is not the only student upset about losing the entire break to make up recent missed days. Some high school students planned to visit prospective colleges then.

Cristie Lamb, who is ranked highest in the junior class at East Rowan High School, said she isn’t sure when she’ll find time to check out colleges now.

“I’m worried,” she said. “I’m really going to have to try to find time to take out of school. I’m not going to have much time.”

Many Rowan County parents wonder why Rowan County schools were closed Thursday when Charlotte schools — where much more snow fell earlier this week — were open.

“I really think that if Charlotte had schools open today, we could,” Leach said. “I think most parents would even be willing to drive them to school.”

Wendy Weant has two children enrolled at St. John’s Lutheran Church and another elementary student.

“There’s definitely something wrong with Rowan County,” Weant said. “A week out of school. I mean, that’s ridiculous. And they should add days to the end of the year, not from spring break.”

Rowan County’s public schools have been closed six days in the past two weeks due to snow. Schools opened two hours late today. One day of classes was cancelled before Christmas when Hurricane Floyd blew through.

The last time schools were closed so many days was in 1995-1996, when students missed 10 days.

School system testing coordinator Colby Cochran said high school students still should have plenty of chances to visit colleges. Two work days remain in March and schools are closed April 24, Easter Monday, when most colleges will be open.

Cochran said many parents upset about all the missed days aren’t aware of how bad conditions have remained this week in the eastern extreme of Rowan County.

While schools in other parts of the county could operate, operating schools on independent schedules is a bad idea, said Cochran, who works with the committee that writes the school system’s calendar each year.

“It creates some further problems because some (students) would still have to make up that day. Plus, people are confused enough when we’re trying to get just one message out there. That would just create further confusion.”