The halls of St. Louis U. High were abuzz with discussion on Monday and Tuesday over whether the administration would call a snow day on Wednesday due to the forecast of inclement weather. The debate was settled on Tuesday afternoon when Assistant Principal for Student Life Brock Kesterson announced that campus would be closed Wednesday and Thursday, and students would not be required to attend online classes.

The announcement came after two days of confusion with the administration sending mixed signals to the student body about what they could expect in the case of hazardous weather conditions. Early Monday morning, principal Ian Gibbons emailed SLUH faculty asking them to start preparing class plans in the event that campus would be closed. Later in the day, in an email to the whole school, Assistant Principal for Academics Kevin Foy added to Gibbons’ initial email announcing that in the event of a snow day, classes would be held in a synchronous format via Zoom.

“The confusion was mostly just because we wanted to kind of leave the door open and see what our options look like,” said Kesterson. 

The announcement that classes would be held via Zoom was met with sharp criticism from many within the student body and faculty. Many called on the administration to give students an old-school snow day and give them a break from the stress of the school year.

“I understand them wanting to be caught up but at the same time it seems like they are taking advantage of something that was made for Covid and using it to get rid of something that means a lot to students,” said junior George Mikhail. “No matter how old you are, snow days are a time to go out and enjoy the snow and kind of take a break and relax.”

After hearing from the student body and faculty, administrators met again on Tuesday to further discuss plans for a snow day. In the end, the consensus was to give students a typical snow day, with no classes, if campus had to be closed because of snow. 

“We had a meeting Tuesday and we all kind of came together to put together the pieces that we've been thinking about, and using some of the feedback we've been hearing from students and some from faculty, we decided to give the students an old-fashioned snow day,” said Kesterson. “Personally, I loved the idea of students being able to enjoy a spontaneous day off due to snow. I think it is important to still have those fun snow days, even in high school.” 

At the end of the school day on Tuesday, Kesterson announced that the campus would be closed Wednesday and Thursday due to weather and students would not have to attend class virtually. A roar immediately erupted throughout the hallways as students and teachers alike celebrated these unexpected days off.

“Snow days are so magical, staying up all night anticipating a snow day is so much fun and then having a day to play and relax is great,” said Latin teacher Jennifer Ice. “Kids are kids so let them have the magic of a snow day.”

“I think a snow day should just be a regular snow day as in the past,” said junior Anthony Fahim. “I think the whole student body agrees that we were grateful to have the two days off to enjoy the snow.”

Kesterson announced yesterday afternoon that campus would still be closed for today. However, students are taking a trip to last year and joining Zoom rooms, as classes are synchronous. 

Even though they had to return virtually, students and teachers were still grateful for the two days off.

“As a teacher with limited time in second semester with how much I meet with seniors, I am grateful for synchronous learning,” said Social Studies teacher Tom Kickham. “But like the students I enjoy those traditional snow days where you just put work aside for the day and enjoy a day off.”

In the event of another snow day in the future, classes will be held synchronously via Zoom.