I absolutely love my teaching job. I really do.
It is rewarding working with the kids and watching them grow as mathematicians, readers, and overall independent students.
This does not mean I don’t enjoy those rarities that school kids and staff members look forward to in the winter months. I’m talking about the elusive, extraordinary event of a ‘Snow Day.’
Winter Weather Means Watching the Forecast
As soon as cold weather starts to show it’s wintry face, school employees begin to pay very close attention to the various weather channels. We look at as many sources as we can find that may provide information in favor of worsening, winter conditions.
We become amateur meteorologists, dissecting different radar reports, comparing road conditions with colleagues that may live on gravel roads, etc…
You begin to hear rumblings in the hallway if you listen close enough.
Occasionally you will see a couple of staff members having what appears to be an important conversation in the corner of a hallway. As you get closer, you hear phrases such as, ‘multiple inches possible,’ or ‘strong winds over night.’
That’s all it takes for this introvert to meander that way.
“What do you guys know? What channel are you looking at?”
‘Check AccuWeather. They are the most reliable,” answers Mrs. Hanson.
“There’s a Winter Advisory out on WLNS,” whispers Mr. Jones. “I think our possibilities are good.”
“I’m on lunch in about 10 minutes,” I answer. “I’ll be checking.” I smile and rush towards my classroom, fingers crossed.
Consulting the Experts…
At the end of the school day, children rush out the main doors, heading for the buses. If you look closely, there’s an excited anticipation glowing on their rosy faces.
“Don’t forget the spoon under your pillow,” Mr. Jewett reminds his class. “Pajamas need to be inside out.”
Kids smile and give him a thumbs up, heading on their way.
On the rare days that the winter weather is a factor, the kids are not the only ones heading to the buses.
When the weather begins to really show possibilities of an impending Snow Day, it’s time to go to the experts – the bus drivers.
Teachers tend to find their way to the bus doors to collect much-needed information.
“How does it look out there, Joe? What are our chances?”
“Sure is slippery out on the dirt roads,” answers Mr. Tomlin. “This wind keeps up and the snow keeps flying, I wouldn’t be surprised to get the call.”
“I sure could use a Snow Day,” I reply, stepping out of the way of children.
In years past, before Mom passed away, I would enjoy an evening phone call with her about the possibility of a Snow Day. Mom had a few different jobs over her lifetime, but her last working years were spent driving bus for a neighboring school district.
I used to call her in the evening with any news and/or gossip I may have.
“Springport just called off. So did Mason,” I would say – even before the customary ‘hello.’
“They did?” came her excited response. “That’s good for both of us.”
Dad would chime in from the background. “What’s happening, Rene? Who’s on the phone?”
“It’s Ashley. Springport and Mason have both called off, Honey,” Mom answered.
“Wow. Tell her that I just went to the gas station and the plow trucks are all out working.” (Any school staff member can tell you that snow plow drivers are our worst enemies during wintry weather.)
“He didn’t go anywhere. He’s teasing,” Mom would say into the receiver.
We would talk a little bit longer and then promise to call each other if we get the call later that night. Snow Day calls the night before were rare, but did occasionally occur.
I miss that ritual with mom.
Getting the Call
The night of a big, blustery snow storm, it’s difficult to sleep. With every nighttime trip to the bathroom, there’s a detour to the front door to look at snowfall that may have happened since bedtime.
Ice is always a good thing as well. An accumulation of ice is a sure sign of a phone call.
I also tend to double check and see if the volume is up on my phone. You can’t be too careful in these types of situations.
When that 5:00 A.M. call rings in, there’s a delightful spring to my step as I hop up and look at the caller ID.
“Brian! It’s the school. Listen with me!”
I answer the phone and turn it on speaker mode.
“Due to inclement weather, Eaton Rapids Public Schools will be closed today. The safety of our staff and students is our main priority. Childcare will still be open at Union Street. Thank you.”
“Woohoo! Snow Day!” I run around the bedroom all smiles. (I don’t typically display this much energy in the early hours of the morning.)
“I’m going to go tell the kids, then I’m coming back to bed.” I grin at Brian who doesn’t seem as pleased as I am. He still has to go to work and Snow Day calls are a past memory for him.
I pop my head into Keegan’s room. “No school today. Snow Day.”
“For real?” Keegan groggily asks, peaking his head over the side of his bed.
“For real,” I answer back. “Go back to bed and don’t wake me when you get up.” I close his door and repeat the same process with Kaleb and Khloe.
After I finish spreading around the Snow Day cheer, I climb back into my own warm covers, usually just as Brian is getting up to take a shower and beginning to get ready for his slow, laborious commute into work.
Snow Day Bliss
The certainty of an unexpected day off is just so exciting.
It’s a rarity that propels you back to memories of Snow Days from your childhood.
I usually spend my Snow Days sleeping in, catching up on reading some Nora Roberts, then cleaning the house a bit (it relaxes me.)
The day usually ticks away quickly and the reality of heading back to school kicks in.
All is good. There’s nothing better than a Snow Day to recharge the system.
Not a Snow Day in Sight for 2023-24
Winter is in full swing for the 2023-24 school year, but there’s not a snowstorm in sight.
Not even a small blizzard or the chance of any snow accumulation. Nothing. Zip.
I’m hoping that any snow we may see will hold off until mid-January or so. I’m sure it will happen at some point.
When it does, school children and staff members in neighboring districts will be waiting.
Goals for Today:
- Organize Kitchen Cabinets
- Use Shampooer in Keegan’s Room
- Research the Farmer’s Almanac on Google