Actions

'Let's take a break from the screen.' Ann Arbor schools give snow day despite virtual learning

Free Online Educational Resources To Keep Kids Learning While Schools Are Closed
Posted at 1:14 PM, Feb 16, 2021
and last updated 2021-02-16 13:14:58-05

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) — Students in Ann Arbor Public Schools are in virtual learning, but kids still had a snow day on Tuesday with the snowstorm.

Superintendent Dr. Jeanice Swift sent a message to families that was later shared on the district's social media pages, that encouraged students to take advantage of the winter day for a "virtual snow day."

According to Swift, so many things have changed over the past year, and many have missed the simple joys that have a sense of normalcy before the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Snow days are opportunities for children, young people, and adults to play in the snow, read books, take a break, and enjoy the winter season," Swift wrote in the message. "These days are unexpected opportunities to make memories, to have fun and to celebrate community. We don't want to lose them.

"Let's take a break from the screen, read a book, and enjoy the snow," she added.

Some families responded positively to the message, while others responded negatively.

"My children have missed so much education with no school at all last spring and short days/no Wednesdays this school year. This is incredibly irresponsible and tone deaf. Also most parents don’t just get to decide to take a snow day and go sled. We work, and we’re working our butts off trying to make up for AAPS’s failures while maintaining our real jobs," Kate Bauer wrote.

"This is a great decision. Zoom fatigue is very real, especially for the younger students. Snow days are a part of their normal school lives, so it's good to have the same consideration even in a virtual setting. And this is from a household where both parents work full time," Brandon Bachler added.