I'm watching with amusement, and a small amount of envy, as my friends in Michigan talk about the snow day they get tomorrow. I did enjoy the sense of anticipation and joy that came with watching weather patterns and getting snow days. There is something special about that unexpected break in the normal routine where obligations are temporarily set aside. I certainly enjoyed the snow days that I had.
Thus far, not only have I not had any snow days while teaching in Alaska, I'm not certain I want one. Unlike Michigan, there are no extra days built into our school calendar. Should we not have school due to some sort of emergency, we would be expected to make up that day before we ended for the summer (a foolish and shortsighted practice for a variety of reasons, but it pleases beancounters).
Another reason I am hesitant to cheer on snow days up here is that they are only awarded for truly horrendous conditions. In Michigan, the brave (or foolish) can still venture out on most snow days. Here, much of our winter has conditions that would delay or cancel school in Michigan. A snow day would only happen if there really was no safe way of getting to school. Actually, I'm concerned that we might have a day where I have no chance of getting out of the driveway, yet school will not be called off.
For now, I am content to live vicariously through my friends' snow day experiences. I wish my friends down south the best, and I hope that they manage to regain rest and sanity during this unexpected holiday.
Thus far, not only have I not had any snow days while teaching in Alaska, I'm not certain I want one. Unlike Michigan, there are no extra days built into our school calendar. Should we not have school due to some sort of emergency, we would be expected to make up that day before we ended for the summer (a foolish and shortsighted practice for a variety of reasons, but it pleases beancounters).
Another reason I am hesitant to cheer on snow days up here is that they are only awarded for truly horrendous conditions. In Michigan, the brave (or foolish) can still venture out on most snow days. Here, much of our winter has conditions that would delay or cancel school in Michigan. A snow day would only happen if there really was no safe way of getting to school. Actually, I'm concerned that we might have a day where I have no chance of getting out of the driveway, yet school will not be called off.
For now, I am content to live vicariously through my friends' snow day experiences. I wish my friends down south the best, and I hope that they manage to regain rest and sanity during this unexpected holiday.
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