Ahead of the winter storm that is expected to hit parts of the East Coast this week, a West Virginia school district sent a sweet letter to families announcing the district’s first snow day of the year.
And, especially after this brutal year, it’s sure to give you some ... feelings.
In the letter, Superintendent Bondy Shay Gibson wrote: “It has been a year of seemingly endless loss and the stress of trying to make up for that loss. For just a moment, we can all let go of the worry of making up for the many things we missed by making sure this is one thing our kids won’t lose this year ... So please, enjoy a day of sledding and hot chocolate and cozy fires. Take pictures of your kids in snow hats they will outgrow by next year and read books that you have wanted to lose yourself in, but haven’t had the time. We will return to the serious and urgent business of growing up on Thursday, but for tomorrow ... go build a snowman.”
And people on Twitter (and the district’s Facebook page) loved it:
Even if snow isn’t in the forecast where you live, may this simply sweet letter remind you to cut yourself some slack, take a breath and enjoy the small moments, and go build a snowman.
Read the full letter below:
Dear Jefferson County Schools Community,
For generations, families have greeted the first snow day of the year with joy. It is a time of renewed wonder at all the beautiful things that each season holds. A reminder of how fleeting a childhood can be. An opportunity to make some memories with your family that you hold on to for life.
For all of these reasons and many more, Jefferson County Schools will be completely closed for tomorrow, Dec. 16, in honor of the 1st snow day of the year. Closed for students ... closed for virtual ... closed for staff. It has been a year of seemingly endless loss and the stress of trying to make up for that loss. For just a moment, we can all let go of the worry of making up for the many things we missed by making sure this is one thing our kids won’t lose this year.
So please, enjoy a day of sledding and hot chocolate and cozy fires. Take pictures of your kids in snow hats they will outgrow by next year and read books that you have wanted to lose yourself in, but haven’t had the time. We will return to the serious and urgent business of growing up on Thursday, but for tomorrow ... go build a snowman.
Sincerely,
Bondy Shay Gibson, Ed.D.
Superintendent
