What are snow days really for?

 

As a SoCal gal, I've never experienced a snow day. Heck, I've only seen snow fall from the sky once in my life and I was in London when it happened.

With inclement weather hitting many cities across the US I'm noticing a lot of debate about snow days versus remote learning days.

Many are saying snow days are a right of passage versus the idea that now that we know we can do remote learning days, why wouldn't we capitalize on the technology?

Now, number one, if a snow day is called due to danger incited by weather, don't do remote learning. Folx need to focus on safety in those instances and doing your assignments shouldn't add to the stress of unsafe conditions.

But the reason I wanted to jump on the blog today was the idea that snow days are a welcome respite from zoom fatigue. One person I spoke with shared that even before the pandemic, snow days were important for the mental health of students, families, and school staff and because of that should be preserved now and moving forward.

If random acts of weather provide a much needed mental health break, why haven't schools build this into their calendars? If these breaks are so important then why aren't students, families, and school staff across the US able to have a snow day?

The pandemic has exposed a number of issues in K12 education and mental health is a huge part of what's happening now and should be greatly considered moving forward.

Students in SoCal may never experience a true snow day, but I hope conversations like this help us think about the mental health of students, families, and school staff in new ways. As we move beyond the pandemic and return to campus there is a lot to unpack here and I hope it results in positive change. 

Responding to Digital Promise and the Value of Edtech Coaches

"With experience in helping teachers and students use technology in teaching and learning, as well as an understanding of the district’s goals, edtech coaches are uniquely positioned to support districts in successfully implementing at-home learning." March 31, 2020 | By Mahsa Bakhshaei via Digital Promise

Last year many districts made the difficult decision to send district educational technology teachers on special assignment back to the classroom due to declining funding. I personally know many passionate educators that found a second calling teaching and collaborating with their peers, that were devastated when they lost their position. Many of them are back in the classroom this year and while teaching their own classes are volunteering their time to aid their districts during this unprecedented time.

With the advent of distance/remote learning, it is becoming apparent how vital positions like edtech coaches are. When we return to school sites, districts may have more devices than ever before. District dollars will have been spent on technology, and districts have potentially gone one to one overnight. I hope that districts are able to find a way to fund educational technology coaches again because despite the hardship we are undergoing innovation is happening. Teachers that are empowered to be educational technology coaches for their peers can help us learn from this time and help propel us and our students into the future.

I encourage you to read this short piece from Digital Promise to learn even more reasons why edtech coaches are valuable to students, teachers, schools, and districts.