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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

No more snow days for kids

134 replies

Snowflakesandroses · 06/01/2022 20:17

It’s been snowing pretty heavily here today and it’s due to snow again overnight and into tomorrow…my DP works in a school and was told that if the school has to shut tomorrow due to the snow that he’ll be expected to work from home using the online classroom and kids are expected to log on remotely to join in lessons, the same as they did during lockdown.

AIBU to think this is a step too far?

OP posts:
FastingFuriously · 06/01/2022 20:53

We had this in the cold snap at the end of November. The school decided to go online as it had snowed the day before, started to melt and then frozen so was icy.
I’m pretty sure pre covid they would’ve just managed but they saw online as a viable alternative. I’m so fed up with seeing my kid slumped miserably over his computer bored stiff.

switswoo81 · 06/01/2022 20:55

I'm in Ireland and we were closed for two days for Storm Barra in December and dept Ed said no need for remote learning!
Happy Days!

TolkiensFallow · 06/01/2022 20:59

Just have a few tech difficulties

SunshineCake1 · 06/01/2022 20:59

I think the kids have missed too much school already

CookieCrunch123 · 06/01/2022 21:00

This is so sad for the kids! A few snow days never hurt anyone!

LakieLady · 06/01/2022 21:02

It must be at least 11 years since we had a snow day here, so it won't make any difference. Hardly any kids still in school will ever have known one.

DroopyClematis · 06/01/2022 21:03

But surely, snow days mean a parent has to take time off work?
Doesn't that eat into annual leave?

EatDrinkEatDrink · 06/01/2022 21:04

I asked my husband about this the other day (secondary teacher) as we had a fluttering of snow. I said "ooo no more snow days" but he said that they won't do online lessons as some children don't have access to laptops or the Internet at home. During lockdowns these children still went into school and used school computers to do the same lessons as the kids were doing at home. On snow days these kids can't get into school so can't participate in the lessons (if they were online). All kids need to have equal access and opportunity (plus who wants to miss out on the one snow day a year!!!). I plan to take flexi time should it snow and then we can go sledging as a family I'll work my sledging around meetings if I have to 😆, never too old for a snow day ☃️❄️🛷🧣🧤!

Grendalsmum · 06/01/2022 21:06

Mine are at Uni now but l remember fondly (and so do they) the whole village school merrily off the lead and out on the Green building snow men and snow ramparts, and the massive snowball fight that followed - DS1 in his parka, wet suit, wooly hat and wellies - on the basis that no snow was going down his neck in that! DS2 completely soaked but refusing to come in until it was dark as he was a barbarian and barbarians didn't get cold ... It almost never snows where we are so it would be criminal to waste it when it does! I'd be staging a strategic wi-fi failure ... Grin

Thickasmincepie · 06/01/2022 21:08

Listening to the local radio to see if your school had been added to the list of closures.

Getting your bin bags out, ready to sledge down the hill.

colourfulpuddles · 06/01/2022 21:08

It’s a “step too far” to expect kids educational needs to be met?

TheGonnagle · 06/01/2022 21:12

It says in our schools handbook that the first day of snow closure shall be set aside for the fun of a snow day and subsequent days shall be online. How great is that?

Gwenhwyfar · 06/01/2022 21:12

@colourfulpuddles

It’s a “step too far” to expect kids educational needs to be met?
Oh get over yourself. They'll survive one day off.
ohfook · 06/01/2022 21:20

I think it's sad. As an adult, I've had a couple of occasions in my life where work have not opened because of the weather and it was fucking awesome. As a child a snow day is one of life's great pleasures. If we're lucky enough to get one I'll be out with my kids rolling in the snow and getting the sledge out; no fucking way will they be spending the day in a zoom class.

On a serious note, I genuinely believe children need to connect with nature and the seasons more. I like my kids to be outdoors as much as possible and it's not like they get to experience snow very often anyway.

StampOnIt · 06/01/2022 21:21

Our school have said they will provide work, but to go out and enjoy the snow instead if you want (primary).

BlowDryRat · 06/01/2022 21:24

Nooo! Snow days are the best! I don't remember having any until I was at secondary. Half the school was up on the local hills with toboggans and flasks of tea. It was ace.

The last snow day the DC had was in the horrible winter lockdown last January to March when they weren't allowed to see any of their friends. All rules went out of the window for that one day. They played in the snow with their friends for hours. No harm done.

DinosApple · 06/01/2022 21:24

Haha, we said this at work (primary school) too. Everyone loves a snow day!

CarpeVitam · 06/01/2022 21:26

@colourfulpuddles

It’s a “step too far” to expect kids educational needs to be met?
🥱
PattyPan · 06/01/2022 21:27

Thought this was going to be about climate change! I only had about 2 snow days during my entire time at school anyway (grew up in SE, started school 1999).

ThirdElephant · 06/01/2022 21:28

I had only one snow day in my entire childhood- they're quite rare in many regions of the UK. If my kids ever gets one, I'm definitely not making the poor things work from home! They'll be out there in the snow, with hot cocoa for after- you're only young once!

LethargicActress · 06/01/2022 21:29

There will be plenty of teachers telling their classes that their work for the day is to build a snowman.

listsandbudgets · 06/01/2022 21:29

DSs school always opens on snow days. Its a small independent and the head is utterly infuriated by covid because previously the only thing that had closed otherwise in the last 125 years was a bomb in world war 2!! Otherwise they remain open even even with a skeleton staff sometimes and not all pupils make it in. Snow days are optional but very popular.

DS loves snow days .. snow ball fights, snowman building competitions, attempts to build an igloo and hot chocolate with lunch. They usually run a lesson on how snow is formed and also try to catch and photograph snowflakes.

Hb12 · 06/01/2022 21:30

Ha, our primary school is in no way set up for that. We rarely get snow anyway 😂

Fair enough at secondary level

Fairunibutterfly · 06/01/2022 21:32

That’s a shame . Snow days are a rare and fun thing!

When it snowed during lockdown last year dd2 in Reception was given a snow day with some learning activities they could do in the snow. Dd2 in yr2 still had to do work but luckily it never took a full day so she could go out and play.

If they’re back at school (i.e. no lockdown) and they have to have the odd day off for snow I’d not bother with online for one day. I’m a bit gutted that wfh means we don’t get a snow day!

DrSbaitso · 06/01/2022 21:36

We had a snow day even during homeschooling last year.