NYC Mayor Eliminates Traditional Snow Days Ahead of Major Winter Storm

As a significant winter storm approaches New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced Friday that students will not receive traditional snow days, sparking debate among health professionals about the value of unstructured play time for children.

The approaching storm is expected to hit the city Sunday and continue into Monday, potentially bringing 8 to 12 inches of snow accompanied by frigid temperatures. During a weather briefing press conference, Mamdani said officials would announce by noon Sunday whether schools would shift to in-person or remote learning.

“I have to apologize to the students that were hoping for a different answer for a traditional snow day,” Mamdani told reporters. “That will not be the case.”

The decision to eliminate traditional snow days comes as part of a growing nationwide trend where school districts leverage technology to continue instruction during inclement weather, a practice that gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, mental health experts and physicians are questioning this approach, highlighting the developmental benefits that old-fashioned snow days provide children.

“From a mental health standpoint, the old-school, unplugged snow day is actually very healthy for kids,” explained Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist practicing in New York City and Washington, D.C. “Sometimes the healthiest message we can send kids is simple: ‘Today, go outside and have fun.'”

Alpert emphasized that snow days shouldn’t be viewed as lost instructional time but rather as opportunities for children to regulate their nervous systems, improve mood, and return to school more focused and refreshed. The physical activity associated with outdoor winter play offers additional health benefits.

“An occasional snow day gives kids something they rarely get now: old-fashioned outdoor fun,” he said. “Sledding, snowballs, building forts… no screens, no Zoom links, no pressure to stay productive.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, agreed with the therapeutic value of traditional snow days. “I love the idea of an old-fashioned snow day for mental and physical health — for kids to play out in the snow, build a snowman with a carrot nose, to commingle and socialize, and to have harmless snowball fights,” he said.

Child psychiatrists point out that today’s highly scheduled children rarely experience unstructured play time. Dr. Kathryn L. Jones from Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU noted that children and teens are “so highly programmed with extracurriculars” that they’ve lost the ability to engage in spontaneous play.

“With so much external and internal pressure to grow up faster, we end up with kids who become adults who have forgotten how to play,” Jones explained. “There is such a kinesthetic pleasure in playing outside in the snow, to notice textures, temperatures, all senses activated and engaged.”

The debate extends beyond mental health to questions about educational effectiveness. Alpert pointed to evidence from the pandemic suggesting remote learning often falls short of its objectives.

“Zoom school doesn’t function as true learning or true rest,” Alpert warned. “It keeps kids mentally ‘on’ without giving them structure or recovery, which is exactly where stress and burnout build.”

However, some experts acknowledge potential benefits to virtual learning during snow events when properly implemented. Dr. Jarrod M. Leffler, chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, noted that virtual options can provide consistency and prevent extending the school year.

“For some youth, this may be a positive experience,” Leffler said. He cautioned, however, that poorly planned virtual instruction could increase stress for both students and teachers, particularly during severe weather when educators may face their own weather-related challenges.

For families who do find themselves with an old-fashioned snow day, doctors recommend simple safety measures. “Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats — and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” Dr. Siegel advised.

When outdoor activities aren’t possible due to extreme conditions, Leffler suggests parents plan indoor alternatives that foster creativity and enjoyment while minimizing potential stress and irritability from being confined indoors.

The impending weekend storm will test New York City’s new approach, as parents, educators, and students await Sunday’s announcement about whether learning will continue in person or shift to remote platforms.