Russ's Ravings: Stop Whining About Snow Days (Or Lackthereof)

Editor's note: The following is Patch Field Editor Russ Crespolini's, hopefully, weekly column. It is reflective of his opinion alone.

This week we were faced with our first major storm of 2021, and second major storm of this strange pandemic-altered school year. And the ways in which the districts in the Garden State handled Mother Nature's curveball were as unique as their learning plans.

Some districts closed down completely on Monday and Tuesday, some pivoted to virtual on Tuesday after closing down Monday. Some canceled afternoon classes and others had full virtual lessons both days that incorporated the winter weather into the learning.

And how did our communities react? Well, for the most part pretty well, but there is still a vocal minority in towns across New Jersey who take to social media and decry the decision being made as if it is being done for a vindictive, purposeful reason designed to hurt them personally.

This myopic outrage is humorous to some degree, pathetic to another, and ultimately futile in both point and execution. Social media lit up on Sunday as the snowflakes began to fall decrying whatever decision was made.

If the district went all virtual? Well then the school officials were thieves of joy! Pillagers of childhood and couldn't care less about the social and emotional well-being of their students!

If they took the day off? Well then the school officials were so short-sighted they couldn't see the burden this put on working parents who already were struggling with the pandemic rules this school year.

And if it was a mix of the two then it was a mix of criticism that changed on the day.

But did those warriors of the web stop to think about all the factors that must be taken into consideration before a decision like this is made? Most districts in New Jersey sent out surveys when they were preparing their COVID plan in order to get an idea of what issues students were facing at home. They also engaged in conversations with multiple stakeholders (not just the ones screaming on social media) to get a picture of what the priorities were for the majority of the community.

For example, my district put a premium on in-person learning for certain groups and was able to open their doors more as they are able, in stages. Kindergarten, for example will be transitioning from a cohort group to five days a week soon.

Other districts, with different resources, have different priorities. Large districts with different class sizes, ventilation and transportation issues might make different decisions than a smaller district, like a K-6.

Smaller districts often can make the decision to cancel completely because they are not dealing with some issues a K-12 does. But none of this is one size fits all and none of this is universal.

We are all navigating our way through a lingering pandemic. We are all trying to do what is best for our families. But sometimes, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Or the one.

Spock logic is irrefutable.

Many people have said that districts not closing was bad for their child's socioemotional health. And I feel for them. That is not the case for my child. My child, like many others, enjoys interacting with her classmates and breakout groups throughout the day rather than be stuck alone while her parents work. Closing down school like that would adversely impact her.

But the common thread in the criticism is, "what is best for me and my child must be best for all." And that simply isn't the case. There are times when your needs will not line up with what is best for the community. And our school officials have to make the best decision for everyone in the learning community.

Some are hoarding snow days because they feel if we have power outages in the future we will need them as we are still operating virtually. Do I think this is likely? No. Reasonable. Well, yes. Who in the hell knows WHAT is coming next I would want to hang on to days to be as flexible as possible.

If one of the superintendents I cover in north Jersey told me they were saving those days to recover from an alien invasion I wouldn't bat an eye.

Besides, as a kid I would enjoy being able to go outside and enjoy the warmer weather on extended weekends when hopefully the COVID vaccine has made gathering easier. And I don't think I am alone.

At the end of the day, sending emails, writing petitions and venting on social media are fine exercises in futility you can employ if you like. But it might be easier for everyone if you take a step back and let your ego go.

No school officials are plotting to make a decision that hurts you personally. You, quite simply, are not that important. And no school official is losing any sleep over what you, personally, think of them. That comes with the job.

So do what you need to do to help your family. If that means pull your child out to enjoy snow day, then do so. No one can stop you. And if you haven't noticed, nearly three feet of snow is not vanishing by the weekend. Plenty of time to do all of those snow activities so many claim are being denied our youth.

But especially now, as we round the corner into a year of this pandemic-altered life, I would like to request you get over yourself. Just for a little while.

And be thankful you are complaining about lost snow days and not lost jobs, lost businesses and lost life.

Russ Crespolini is a Field Editor for Patch Media, adjunct professor and college newspaper advisor. His columns have won awards from the National Newspaper Association and the New Jersey Press Association.

He writes them in hopes of connecting with readers and engaging with them. And because it is cheaper than therapy. He can be reached at russ.crespolini@patch.com