Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree · 06/01/2022 22:12

My internet won't be working that day Xmas Sad

EdenFlower · 06/01/2022 22:13

Yes, this happened at my school last winter when it snowed. So sad that that little kids are expected to complete online lessons instead of playing out in the snow! It was also hard for teachers who were at home with their own children but expected to be available online all day! However, one of the homework tasks was to build a snowman and post it to seesaw for everyone to see! So not too bad!

Dontgetyerknicksinatwist · 06/01/2022 22:15

@Snowflakesandroses

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?

I guess the school is rightly thinking that the kid’s education has already seen enough disruption due to Covid and wants to try to avoid / minimise anymore lost time in education. Distance learning isn’t a replacement for the classroom but it’s better than nothing. As a parent I would be fully supportive of this.
Hercisback · 06/01/2022 22:18

@SmellyOldPartridgeinaPearTree

So will mine.

Dontgetyerknicksinatwist · 06/01/2022 22:18

Oh god reading back my response I sound like a right killjoy!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/01/2022 22:20

Sorry, the snow has knackered the broadband. Can't get online at all and I don't have unlimited data for tethering.

Heruka · 06/01/2022 22:22

This is criminal! Shock

DanglingMod · 06/01/2022 22:22

I think the expectation has been set that snow days will no longer exist but there are two glaring issues:

  1. lack of tech at short notice for both staff and students

  2. notice. On the first morning of a snowy day, staff are usually doing their very best to drive/walk/trudge/get lifts or public transport in and then school makes a decision to close when by 9.30 or something not enough staff can make it in. Then you turn around and make your way slip sliding home again. Very rarely would a decision be taken the night before meaning the teachers can just hop online and teach. Second and subsequent days, possibly.

hapagirl · 06/01/2022 22:24

Ugh no!! I still have great memories from the Beast from the East with the kids.

ThePlumVan · 06/01/2022 22:26

Absolutely they all should work from home.

Now the means are in place, and everyone is set up - why not Confused

DanglingMod · 06/01/2022 22:27

Thoughts on my comment about the teachers spending first half of the morning trying to get in to school, Plum?

I've worked at a school where they expected us to try and get through snow for up to two hours before giving up...

Hercisback · 06/01/2022 22:28

Some of you really are the fun police. Snow days are some of the best memories from my childhood.

girasol · 06/01/2022 22:28

We don’t get much snow here but my kids school have said if it snows there will be no online lessons/normal home learning. They’ve instead prepared some snow related activities and will be encouraging the kids to make the most of it Grin

Hercisback · 06/01/2022 22:29

There is also the issue that plenty of teaching staff won't have their equipment at home. I don't routinely bring my visualiser home.

Whatinthelord · 06/01/2022 22:29

I’d just say our internet wasn’t working and let the kids have a snow day…..unless there was a vitally important thing they needed linked to GCSE or A Levels

Shuk · 06/01/2022 22:29

Ha well if our primary lockdown offering was anything to go by kids will be done in 10 minutes and off out to enjoy the snow.

Bradwell168 · 06/01/2022 22:30

Of course snow days should now be online learning. The working world has changed.

Meadowblossom · 06/01/2022 22:31

You do realise that the reason schools have to set this work is because of parents complaining if no work is set?
Schools would be brilliant places if it wasn’t for parents…

etulosba · 06/01/2022 22:31

It's a childhood right of passage

If it is, it is a fairly recent one.

I never had a single day off school due to snow. (Northern England)

Loonmanding · 06/01/2022 22:31

Never had a snow day in the 70's or 80's walked to school whatever the weather....invariably the boiler would break.

Hercisback · 06/01/2022 22:32

My. 68yo mother tells tales of snow days, they aren't that new. The difference was no one officially knew it was a snow day, they just convened at the hill and no one went to school!

Pedalpushers · 06/01/2022 22:32

@etulosba also grew up in the North and same, never had a snow day in my life. It snowed but it seems we just got on with it Confused

PurpleFlower1983 · 06/01/2022 22:33

Every teacher had this awful realisation during lockdown 1.

Drunkpanda · 06/01/2022 22:34

I think the first day would end up not having work, or not much. Teachers will have work ready for in school, doesn't mean they have it at home or that it is something that can be done remotely. So would need time to plan it.

FTEngineerM · 06/01/2022 22:35

I remember every snow day from school.
They were joyous 😀
When my DC have then, the won’t be working, nor will I.

Swipe left for the next trending thread