In an era marked by the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, many aspects of life have shifted dramatically. Students have adapted to wearing masks all day and attending classes virtually, fundamentally altering their educational experiences. However, some cherished traditions remain essential, even in these changing times. One such tradition is the snow day, and a school district in New Jersey has pledged to uphold it during remote learning.
As someone who has spent a lifetime in a snowy region, my immediate concern when schools transitioned to online formats last spring was the fate of snow days. With schools in wintry states managing remote classes, wouldn’t that imply snow days could be eliminated? While some districts may choose that path, Mahwah Township Public Schools in New Jersey are committed to honoring the beloved tradition of halting all classes when severe weather strikes.
In their announcement, the school district explained their rationale: “We have determined that few childhood experiences have remained unaffected by COVID-19, and we will foster children’s hope by declaring real snow days for inclement weather.” They emphasize that snow days provide crucial opportunities for both in-person and virtual learners to engage in simple joys—like playing in the snow, baking cookies, enjoying a good book, or watching movies.
In essence, children should not be treated as if they were adults in cubicles, expected to work relentlessly. When heavy snow blankets the ground and in-person learning is canceled, students and teachers should not have to push through; they should revel in the magic of childhood—snuggling on the couch with hot cocoa or building snowmen in the yard. A pandemic should not extinguish the wonder of such moments.
According to reports, Mahwah Township’s decision to maintain snow days is quite rare. For instance, New York City public schools have preemptively canceled snow days for the current school year, with other districts across the country hinting they might follow suit. An education expert noted that there’s “no justifiable reason” for snow days in a remote learning environment, given the significant loss of instructional time caused by the pandemic. “Our objective should be to maximize every minute of this school year for student learning,” he stated. “Families and students are already receiving considerably fewer educational services than before. Scaling back further due to bad weather would be an absurd yet unfortunate decision.”
This year, children have faced numerous losses—proms, graduations, sports events, and even loved ones. The small joys, like snow days, are still crucial for their well-being, and it’s our responsibility as adults to preserve these aspects of childhood.
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Summary:
A New Jersey school district has committed to maintaining the tradition of snow days during virtual learning, recognizing their importance for children’s well-being amidst the challenges of the pandemic. This decision stands in contrast to many other districts that are opting to eliminate snow days, emphasizing the need to preserve moments of childhood joy.