In a nostalgic revival reminiscent of simpler times, middle school student Emily Beckman is championing the return of traditional snow days in Colorado Springs’ Academy District 20.
After the pandemic prompted the district to repurpose four of its six snow days into remote learning alternatives, Emily feels it’s time to bring back those magical unscheduled breaks.
Students’ Preference for Snow Days
In a video featured on Rocky Mountain PBS, the twelve-year-old shares her fond memories of spontaneous school closures—how she looks forward to sleeping in, sipping hot chocolate, having snowball fights with her brother, and sledding down hills.
Fueled by her enthusiasm, she has started a petition to reinstate snow days, recently presenting her case to the district’s board of education.
Now, the community waits for a decision.
A trend is emerging across the nation: many students and families seem to prefer snow days over remote learning.
While precise figures comparing the quantity of snow days to remote days during severe weather are scarce, there’s a noticeable shift.
Several districts are reconsidering their reliance on online schooling during winter weather, likely reflecting lessons learned during the pandemic.
Changing Perspectives
Take Maine, for example.
Rebecca Wright, assistant principal at Ellsworth High School, explained that the state typically includes three to four designated snow days in its academic calendar.
She emphasized the significant role these breaks play for families and students, especially when attendance falters during remote learning periods.
Back in November 2020, a survey from the EdWeek Research Center revealed that around 70 percent of school officials were open to turning snow days into remote learning days—a trend that seems to be reversing now.
Feelings about snow days vary widely among parents and educators.
Some educators lament the lost instructional time that snow days can cause, while others champion the necessity of downtime for students.
One teacher from Maryland pointed out how unstructured play and relaxation during snow days can benefit older students.
Parents also have differing views; those balancing remote education with work might welcome snow days as a needed break.
Administrator Opinions
Interestingly, even in areas known for their heavy snowfall, like Anchorage, Alaska, school districts are reevaluating their remote learning practices.
Last December, after a notable snow season in 2023, the district decided to bring back traditional snow days, moving away from online learning.
This change followed advice from Alaska’s education commissioner, who urged districts to reconsider how they approach remote learning, focusing on the varied needs of students.
However, not everyone is thrilled about this shift.
A parent in Anchorage voiced concerns that extending the school year into summer could cut into precious family time in the short, sunny Alaskan summers.
In Sesser, Illinois, principal Natalie Page reported that recent heavy snow caused three consecutive school closures—all recognized as official snow days.
The district found extending the academic year into late May to be a worthwhile trade-off, valuing the experiences gained through in-person learning.
While the push for traditional snow days gains momentum, not every administrator is convinced.
Richard Bozza, the executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, has long advocated for allowing remote learning on snow days.
He points to legislative requirements that mandate a minimum of 180 in-person days as a barrier to progress, despite the pandemic offering temporary solutions.
Bozza has expressed confusion over the lack of legislative backing for changes that would enable schools to utilize remote learning during severe weather, arguing that it could serve as a valuable tool for maintaining educational continuity.
Back in Colorado Springs, Emily Beckman is diligently working to make snow days a reality once again, having gathered 3,395 signatures on her petition.
Krystal Story, a spokesperson for Academy District 20, confirmed that the district is carefully reviewing its approach to snow days.
In November, they reached out to the community, collecting over 4,500 responses through a survey, and they plan to announce their findings about snow day policies in the near future.
Source: Edweek