Snow Dazed and Amused: Supe’s Video Goes Viral after Blizzard that Wasn’t
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In Minnesota, school superintendents face a difficult decision when it comes to closing schools during snowstorms. On one hand, if they close schools too quickly, families who rely on them for childcare or need a break from their children’s indoor activities suffer. On the other hand, if they wait too long and the roads become dangerous, children could end up trapped on buses, causing a different kind of distress.
In December, Kent Pekel, the superintendent of Rochester Public Schools, found humor in his first incorrect school closure decision of the season. He made a video on Twitter that went viral, where he comically stood in the empty parking lots of closed schools and exaggerated the severity of the weather conditions. He joked that it was the "worst conditions that have ever existed in Rochester history – maybe in American history." Pekel playfully showcased his all-terrain vehicle, a Kia Optima, and sarcastically mentioned that those without such a powerful car should stay home as they would never make it.
Students took up the challenge and have been using their critical thinking and creative writing skills to convince Pekel to declare snow days. Fahad A. submitted one of the best requests, as recognized by the superintendent. Other students argued that Thursdays are typically snow-prone and that sleeping in would benefit the district’s 17,400 students. Some claimed that overworked teachers deserved the extra rest, while others pointed out that homebound students could utilize the day to catch up on schoolwork.
Not all messages were persuasive or even serious. Some students playfully used variations of the "uphill both ways" excuse, while others resorted to flattery. However, not everyone found these pleas for snow days amusing.
The superintendent responded swiftly to a group of armchair meteorologists, clarifying that he did not intend to criticize any forecasters and was focused on maintaining the functionality of the school buses.
I was pleasantly surprised this morning when I found a remarkable gift from one of our outstanding teachers in my office. With this crystal ball, the accuracy of snow day announcements will greatly improve. Thank you, Lori Walski!
It seems that determining the amount of snowfall required for a snow day is a perplexing mathematical problem without a definitive solution.
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