When I was younger, snow days felt almost routine. I’d wake up confused about why my mom hadn’t dragged me out of bed yet, wander downstairs, and see the backyard completely covered in snow. Then she’d tell me that school was canceled! And just like that, the day instantly became filled with hot chocolate, “The Polar Express,” and playing outside with my sister. It was simple but memorable and mainly nostalgic. Now snow days feel almost impossible to get. Even when the weather is awful, school still is in session. She told me that Parker is part of the Lake Michigan Association of Independent Schools, so unlike Chicago Public Schools, we don’t follow a strict system. “Dr. Frank is actually the person who officially makes a decision for our school,” Head of Upper School Cory Zeller said. She added that he checks in with other independent schools, such as Latin, Lab, even North Shore, and they compare plans and talk through the weather. “It’s not an exact science,” she said.
Cold weather, she explained, is a little easier to evaluate. “We consider how long a student could be outside waiting for a bus before getting frostbite. So we do have some parameters around temperature.” Snow, however, is a different story. “Snow is so tricky. It could be about the amount, the time of day, or traffic conditions. We’re always thinking about safety,” Zeller said.
One thing that surprised me is how many different factors go into the decision. It isn’t just about snowfall. It’s about when the storm hits, how dangerous the commute might be, and whether students can safely travel to the building at all. Another interesting detail is that we don’t have the same make-up day rules Chicago Public Schools does. Zeller explained that we don’t have to make up missed school days due to a snow day. So our summer being pushed back is never a concern.
After hearing all this, I definitely understand that safety is the priority. But sometimes a break would be nice. A break, when we didn’t plan, didn’t schedule, and didn’t earn through a long weekend, is exactly what students need. Zeller mentioned she’s heard this winter might have “a ton of snow,” so who knows… maybe this is our year. Personally, I’m hoping Parker brings back a little of that old snow day fun. Maybe it’s just the nostalgia of it that I crave, but regardless, I think our student body could really benefit from a snow day or two this winter.
