Snow days are now a thing of the past after virtual learning was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The enjoyment of having a surprise day off is now replaced by video calls and online learning. Is this the new future of snow days?

Students and teachers alike have both positive and negative feelings about the new protocol. 

“I thought it was handled well. Not expecting live meets on the first day was reasonable,” says English teacher Mr. Andy Brunner. “The world has changed so much. So, as far as my role in it, I didn’t mind working.” 

In a different world, it may be hard to find a way to adapt to virtual snow days, and the death of the snow day is a depressing thought for many. However, it varies from person to person. Some love it, while others hate it. 

“I definitely feel like snow days are dead. Like the classic snow days, just waiting and hoping school was canceled, I feel like those days are way behind us,” says junior Grace Glass, “but it really depends on the person, if you like being productive then it’s fine. If you would rather save all the school stuff for the in-person school days then I see why you wouldn’t like it.”

Others find enjoyment in a virtual school in a balance of work and free time. Though the day is spent on video calls, students and teachers can spend their time online surrounded by their parents, siblings, pets, and family. 

“I like it and I don’t like it. I like remote learning for personal reasons. I get to spend more time with my family and I get to see my daughter,” math teacher Mr. Alonzo Nelson says. “I dislike it because students aren’t as engaged and, honestly, I feel like I’m talking to a wall when I’m teaching. It’s an interesting caveat.” 

Junior Kaeli Bueckman states, “I think the way snow days should be is completely gone. It shouldn’t be like that.”

We all have our own opinions on the snow days. Whether they are positive or negative, we can all agree that the mini-vacation that was once a snow day is gone.