New York City School Kids Face a Winter Wonderland Dilemma Without Snow Days.
As New York City prepares for its biggest snowstorm of the season, Mayor Zohran Mamdani dashed hopes of kids going out to play on Monday. In his recent remarks, Mamdani hinted at reviving traditional snow days during school hours but ultimately decided against it, citing concerns about remote learning and tight school calendars.
Mayor Mamdani himself remembers fondly the excitement of childhood snow days when he was a kid. He shared an amusing anecdote of playing in the snow with friends and ending up in the hospital after hitting his head on a jump. However, as the newly minted mayor weighed the pros and cons, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels made it clear that any decision would need to include virtual learning.
The reality is that New York City schools have long ditched traditional snow days due to remote learning's rise and the packed school schedule, including cultural holidays. Education department officials confirmed this year's calendar includes exactly 180 instructional days – without a single snow day.
Remote learning during snowstorms has been plagued by technical issues in the past, with families unable to access classrooms online. As a result, schools have opted for alternative solutions like practice days or professional development sessions, which often see middle and high school students enjoying an extra day off.
Despite this, many parents, including Sarah Charlop-Powers of Brooklyn and Leigh Ross of Manhattan, remain determined to make the most of their kids' snow days. They argue that a single day's remote learning is not worth sacrificing precious time for outdoor play.
For now, New York City remains uncertain about Monday's schedule, with forecasts predicting at least a foot of snow and potentially affecting commuters on Sunday. As the city prepares for winter's chill, parents will have to weigh the benefits of virtual learning against their children's desire for a good old-fashioned snow day.
As New York City prepares for its biggest snowstorm of the season, Mayor Zohran Mamdani dashed hopes of kids going out to play on Monday. In his recent remarks, Mamdani hinted at reviving traditional snow days during school hours but ultimately decided against it, citing concerns about remote learning and tight school calendars.
Mayor Mamdani himself remembers fondly the excitement of childhood snow days when he was a kid. He shared an amusing anecdote of playing in the snow with friends and ending up in the hospital after hitting his head on a jump. However, as the newly minted mayor weighed the pros and cons, Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels made it clear that any decision would need to include virtual learning.
The reality is that New York City schools have long ditched traditional snow days due to remote learning's rise and the packed school schedule, including cultural holidays. Education department officials confirmed this year's calendar includes exactly 180 instructional days – without a single snow day.
Remote learning during snowstorms has been plagued by technical issues in the past, with families unable to access classrooms online. As a result, schools have opted for alternative solutions like practice days or professional development sessions, which often see middle and high school students enjoying an extra day off.
Despite this, many parents, including Sarah Charlop-Powers of Brooklyn and Leigh Ross of Manhattan, remain determined to make the most of their kids' snow days. They argue that a single day's remote learning is not worth sacrificing precious time for outdoor play.
For now, New York City remains uncertain about Monday's schedule, with forecasts predicting at least a foot of snow and potentially affecting commuters on Sunday. As the city prepares for winter's chill, parents will have to weigh the benefits of virtual learning against their children's desire for a good old-fashioned snow day.
. Snow days are not just about having fun, its about learning to deal with harsh weather conditions and being able to take care of themselves when parents can't make it to school. 180 instructional days is already super packed, and now they're gonna add in virtual learning too? That's just unfair to the kids 
. Schools need to think about the long term effects on their mental health and well-being, not just the short term solution of avoiding technical issues. And what even is the point of having a practice day or PD session if its gonna be a boring online thing? Just let the kids enjoy their snow day already! 
I mean, remote learning can be cool and all, but sometimes you just need some old-fashioned fun in the snow. My little cousin lives in NYC and she's literally counting down till Monday 
it's gonna be chaos when the snow hits.
️ and whats with the 180 instructional days thing? can we pls just have a break already?
ugh man i feel 4 these nyc school kids they deserve a break rn snow days r like the best thing eva 
let them play outside n enjoy the winter wonderland while their parents get to work remotely 
i dont think online learning wud be 1st priority on monday 
I dont get why mayor has to make this decision? schools should just let kids go out and play 
plus those snow days are a great way for them to get some fresh air & exercise. 
i feel so bad for these kids... no snow days anymore? that was always the best part of being a kid in the city! just imagine going outside and playing in the snow all day without worrying about homework or classes... it's like they're missing out on the whole childhood experience 
. i get why the schools are worried about remote learning, but can't they just make an exception this one time? it's not like it's the end of the world if kids have to do some extra work online 
. I mean, think about it, a whole school day to just chill out and play in the snow? It's like, priceless, you know? Remote learning might be cool and all, but come on, who needs that when you can have a snowball fight at 3 PM? 
. Who hits their head on a jump and ends up in the hospital? That's like, a real-life cartoon! Anyway, let's hope they can figure out this snow day thing. Fingers crossed for Monday! 