On the Friday before the snowstorm my daughters, who are all educators in New York City, were told to bring home their laptops and prepare for a virtual learning day today. After talking to them I wondered whatever happened to snow days?

I remember as a kid, being glued to the television screen during a snowstorm waiting to see my school district listing as closed. As soon as our school district name came on the screen, my brother, sister, and I would let out a uniform shriek. Snow days were the best, an unexpected day off from school where I would wear my pajamas all day, watch television, and drink hot chocolate.

With virtual learning, that excitement has disappeared. The children in New York City no longer have what once felt like an extra  holiday and, now, have just another day of school which consists of staring into a screen. While, apparently it’s necessary because New York City does not have snow days fit into the school calendar and it's asserted that virtual days keeps kids on track, it also takes away a childhood memory that I still smile about decades later. 

In gaining convenience and continuity, are we losing one of the simple joys that made school feel human?