Snow Days and Online Learning: A Comedic Take on Change
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The Nostalgia of Snow Days
In a world where blizzards can now mean online classes instead of snow days, the charm of childhood snow days feels like a distant memory.
Adapted from Canva by Amy Sea
Recently, my son’s teachers sent out a message informing us that in case of severe weather, online learning would be the plan. This is a stark contrast to my own childhood, where a heavy snowfall meant a day off to frolic in the winter wonderland. My sisters and I would eagerly gather around the radio, tuning into WGN 720 AM, awaiting our school's name to be called. The moment we heard it, we’d erupt in cheers, don our snow gear, and rush outside to enjoy the day.
Snow days are essential; they bring joy and a break from routine, unless, of course, you're in Hawaii. What do they have? A "volcano day"?
Movies and shows have celebrated the magic of snow days. For instance, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off captures that carefree spirit, even without snow. “Anything can happen on a snow day,” notes Chevy Chase in the 2000 film Snow Day. Love, adventure, and even mischief abound—it's a unique opportunity to embrace spontaneity.
Snow days are significant. Natural calamities should provide a chance for everyone to take a break, even Chevy Chase deserves that.
The Downside of Online Learning
The only individuals who should have the authority to spoil a snow day are overly ambitious principals or the eager road crews who clear the snow too early.
In a recent email, an administrator mentioned that the best part of COVID was how prepared we are for online learning. Can we please stop trying to find the positives in every situation? As someone who generally sees the glass half full, I'm growing tired of this “silver lining” nonsense. If I were pessimistic, I would incinerate that playbook.
Can we simply acknowledge when things are less than ideal?
Sure, kids can drive us to the brink. They vandalize bathrooms and engage in questionable games like "throwdown Thursday." They even watch entire matches from the World Cup during class. It's enough to test anyone’s patience.
However, snow days aren’t just for kids; they benefit teachers too. Forcing educators—who have faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years—to teach virtually during a snowstorm seems unfair.
I urge the students to recall the movie WarGames, released in 1983, where a young hacker breaks into a military computer system. Today's kids are far more tech-savvy than Matthew Broderick. Just imagine the chaos they could unleash if they realized a snow day means no online classes!
I implore you, students—please find a way to disrupt online learning for your own benefit. As an incentive, I’ll offer hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows to any student who can successfully take the internet offline on a snow day.
When my son was in elementary school, they encouraged kids to go outside in extreme cold, but now they're telling them to stay in and learn? Something feels off.
Wait a moment—is this online learning plan merely to prevent adding extra days to the school year?
Speaking of which, I’ve already booked a non-refundable trip to Hawaii right after school ends. So, see you online, teachers—unless, of course, there are “technical difficulties.” Wink wink.
Aloha!
Thanks to T. Kent Jones for helping me navigate through this piece with swift and frosty edits.
Exploring the Unconventional
Is it absurd to befriend a stranger on a bus during a snowstorm simply because you're both wearing dirty snow boots?
Death by blizzard? No, I’m not talking about Dairy Queen!
Brand art courtesy of David Todd McCarty
Chapter 2: Embracing Change
In Video Killed The Radio Star, we see how technology transformed our lives, similar to how online learning has changed our approach to snow days. This video captures the essence of that change, illustrating the nostalgic loss of traditional experiences in a modern world.
The official music video for Video Killed The Radio Star by The Buggles serves as a reminder of how innovation reshapes our experiences. This iconic piece not only highlights the past but also resonates with our current realities, including the transition from snow days to online learning.