Since they were young, students and teachers have looked forward to snow days. Snow days are a chance to take a break from the stress, relax and have fun.

For many students, the excitement began the night before, with pre-snow rituals like turning their pajamas inside out or flushing ice cubes down the toilet.

Waking up in the morning to see snow on the ground, students would quickly check online to see that their classes had been cancelled for the day, which would mean sledding, hot cocoa, and most importantly, no assignments to worry about.

“One of my favorite things to do when I was little was to wake up to a snow day,” junior Anna Delaney said. “Then I would go sledding at my elementary school with my friends.”

Now, students attend classes online, instead of in person, so the question is raised on whether or not snow days should still happen.

With students logging into their classes at home already, there is no obvious reason they can’t participate due to snow, however many find that snow days should still be honored.

Fairfax county has not released a finalized inclement weather plan for virtual learning yet. Although snowfall is predicted to be below normal this year, it is still important to plan for the unexpected. 

“I think for children, snow days are magical, and they are so few and far between in Virginia,” English teacher Stephanie Hanson said. “Students and teachers alike always appreciate a surprise break from school. With homework taken care of in advance, it is one of the few days where we can truly enjoy the break.”

In addition, other activities in the county may cause the need for a snow day. 

“As a mother of a toddler, I have to send my toddler to daycare in order to be able to teach my IB English students virtually from home,” Hanson said. “With the snow on December 17th, where I live out in Herndon, we got a few inches, so my daughter’s daycare closed. I then had to take personal leave from school because I was unable to teach my classes with my daughter at home.”

Most importantly, snow days serve as a break from the stress of everyday life. Studies show that breaks are important for students to maintain good mental health.

“It’s important for our mental health,” sophomore Kaleia Cook said. “Even during virtual learning we still need breaks every once in a while.”

With the cold of winter still prevalent, and the unpredictable forecast ahead, students and teachers cross their fingers in hopes that the county will finalize a plan to continue having snow days.