Snow Days Disappear as Online Learning Becomes the Norm

The pandemic has led to the decline of the cherished snow day tradition for many students.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 9:55am

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The article discusses how the rise of remote and online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the decline of the beloved snow day tradition for many students. The author reminisces about the joy and excitement of waking up to the news of school closures due to snow, and how today's kids are often required to log in for virtual classes even on snow days, robbing them of that experience.

Why it matters

Snow days were a rare and cherished break from the routine for many students, providing a chance to sleep in, sled, and enjoy simple pleasures. The loss of this tradition represents a shift in the school experience, as remote learning policies have changed the way schools handle weather-related closures.

The details

The article describes the author's own experience as a teenager, eagerly listening to the radio for school closure announcements and the joy of getting a surprise snow day. However, many school districts now require students to attend virtual classes on snow days, with platforms like Google Classroom and SeeSaw used to track attendance. This policy has been implemented in places like New York City, Illinois, and other snow-prone states, though Department of Defense schools do not currently require remote learning for short-term closures.

  • The author recalls her experiences as a teenager in the 1980s.
  • Many school districts have implemented remote learning policies for snow days in recent years, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Indiana Area Junior High School

The author's school, where she eagerly awaited snow day announcements as a teenager.

New York City Public Schools

A school district that mandates remote instruction on snow days to avoid extending the school year.

Department of Defense (DoD) schools

Schools that do not currently require remote learning for short-term closures of less than five days.

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What they’re saying

“To the poor children who must log onto computers during school closures, who will never feel the unbridled joy of a snow day in winter, my heart goes out to you.”

— The author

The takeaway

The loss of the snow day tradition represents a significant shift in the school experience for many students, as remote learning policies have changed the way schools handle weather-related closures. This change has deprived today's children of the simple joys and cherished memories that snow days once provided.