Ali O'Marra-Armstrong

Assistant Head of School, Academics

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The snow day has long been a hallmark of childhood in Canada. For many, it evokes memories of snow forts, hot chocolate, and the thrill of an unexpected day off from school—what could be better? As Layla Chaaraoui writes in The Harvard Independent: “Snow days represent excitement, nostalgia, and simplicity. It’s a day off we got to make our own due to reasons beyond our control” (December 2023). However, our recent experience with a global pandemic has rewired our understanding of work and learning. More significantly, it has quietly—and some might say ominously—transformed how we experience snow days through technology.

While some view this shift as a loss, I see it as an opportunity. Snow day purists, I can hear your collective sigh—don’t worry, I’m not suggesting we abandon the fun altogether (that would be Grinch-like of me). Instead, I propose we embrace both the joy and practicality of snow days by creatively leveraging technology. With the right approach, we can still enjoy a healthy change in schedule without the stress of “making up a lost day” in the weeks that follow. Snow days today present an opportunity to cultivate a mindset of curiosity and creativity, a “Yes, And” or “How Might We?” mindset that encourages adaptability.

These unpredictable moments foster critical skills like problem-solving, resilience, and flexibility—qualities that are essential for navigating an ever-changing world. It’s true, “breaks aren’t a bad thing; they are crucial for our well-being and mental health,” Chaaraoui argues, noting that snow days offer “a free absence that leaves us feeling energized and eager to return to learning.” Yet, they also create challenges. The need to catch up after a full, unexpected day off, often leads to undue stress later. As Chaaraoui further observes, “With taking a break now feeling like a burden, it is no wonder why college students, at Harvard especially, feel burnout and exhaustion, especially as the semester comes to a close.” So, how do we balance the benefits of a taking a pause with the realities of our ability to stay connected?

The pandemic taught us to navigate disruption with resilience and creativity—to embrace the proverbial pivot. While I’m not advocating for a return to fully virtual learning days, I believe snow days now offer a unique blend of benefits: time to play in the snow, prioritize well-being, and stay connected to learning. This is exactly what our students embraced today. We adjusted our schedule to ensure flexibility in the face of absences among teachers and students, incorporating outdoor play, flexible learning periods, and opportunities for both asynchronous and short bursts of synchronous engagement. What was once a day to make up later can now be reimagined as a chance to cultivate adaptability to the snowfall and intentionality—a true yes, and moment. Perhaps this new approach to snow days is the most authentic preparation for life—a balance of play and purpose.

For a different perspective on snow days in our contemporary times, see An Ode to the Snow Day from The Harvard Independent here.

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