Storming through the snow days 

Have you ever been disappointed when you see snow on the ground, but you still have school?

This happens most days in the year except for two. New Jersey schools give two or three built in snow days per school year. If an extra snow day is needed, the schools take days back from scheduled vacation on Spring Break or the Friday before Memorial Day. New Jersey alone averages about nine days a year when there is usually over three inches of snow on the ground. The alternative option instead of a snow day is a delayed opening. 

Although delayed openings keep school in session, they don’t benefit students in any way. Many students feel that the cut class times aren’t worth coming to school because they aren’t learning as much as they would any normal school day. Eighth grader at Edison Intermediate School (EIS) Alice Schaefer stated, “Delayed openings always feel pointless because the school periods are shorter, and we don’t learn anything. We’re just wasting time at school.” 

Also, the recent article entitled ‘The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Snow Days’ proves how beneficial snow days can be for students and teachers, especially during these hard times. “Snow days allow us all to get a much-needed mental health break from routines to rest and use our time as we please. Students are putting in extra energy this year simply by having to wear masks all day, sit behind their plexiglass dividers, and maintain the social distancing requirements” (Perillo). This quote proves that, not just students, but even teachers can benefit from a much needed mental health break. Furthermore, during COVID students have the time to be home without wearing a mask and social distancing.

Similarly, eighth grade math teacher at EIS, Zachary Crutcher believes that students deserve the extra snow days since they are working hard each day. “I think that more snow days would benefit students in a couple of different ways. First of all, I think students are overworked as it is, and students deserve more breaks. I also just think that having a random unscheduled surprise day off is a special thing when you’re a kid. It gives students the break that I think you all deserve because you’re all overworked.” 

This demonstrates that even teachers agree that more snow days could be beneficial to students. Two out of 180 days of school does not give students enough time to relax and ‘de-stress.’ 

If students are lucky enough to get a snow day, there are different ways that students like to get comfortable and relax. Sixth grader at EIS, Erin McDowell expressed, “I like to play video games with my friends during a snow day.” 

In addition, eighth grader at EIS Ellie Witten explained, “I personally really like snow days because they give me a chance to stay home, relax, clear my mind and not get stressed because of school.”

Overall, if students and teachers had more days off, they would benefit tremendously. A surprise day off once in a while can excite people and won’t detract from the academic learning in school. Snow days can boost students’ brain power by giving them some time off. “It brings me joy when I wake up and see snow falling and I get to have the day off to build snowmen and have snowball fights with my brother!” EIS eighth grader Kayla Edelson exclaimed.