Heavy snowfall and ice-covered roads is most often associated with dangerous driving and working conditions. Studies from FHWA have reported that about 17% of vehicle crashes occur in snowy conditions, with over 150,000 car crashes occurring annually due to icy roads. It is largely because of these statistics that school districts around America enforce a “snow day” policy in order to protect students and teachers who would otherwise need to travel to school.

It is because of these snow days, however, that a different association has been built up in the minds of students when it comes to snowy conditions. That association being entirely positive; a day off from all of your classes and the freedom to do what you want for a day in the school week.

Students at Kilbourne, having had their first snowday of the winter on December 2, give their opinions on what a snow day means to them and how they chose to spend this one. For WKHS Senior Sophia Lee, “a snow day is an opportunity to sleep in later than usual and be able to spend the day either catching up on school work or forgetting about school and relaxing for a little.”

Additionally, WKHS Junior Michael Dolciato agreed that not only are snow days an effective stress reliever, but there is also something especially “nostalgic” about snow days. Michael spoke about memories of being “woken up and hearing that it’s a snow day and being excited about all the stuff that [he] would get to do” as well as all the times he “got into snowball fights or built snow forts with friends.”

Despite the hazards that winter weather inevitably brings, snow days continue to hold a special place in the hearts of students. While a snow day is primarily put in action to ensure safety amid dangerous weather conditions, these unplanned breaks have undeniably become moments of rest, recovery, and joy for many. This joy that so many get from a snow day serves as a poetic reminder that oftentimes harsh conditions will bring out the best in ourselves.