'No school' is the norm.

Ok, really?  Can we toughen up Minnesota?  While I will definitely fail to express my feelings on "snow days" as eloquently as my friend @uppoppedafox I'm going to give my two-cents anyway.

Defn:  'Snow Day' - On RARE occasion something to be celebrated (especially if it really does involve SNOW).

While the rest of the nation carries on – following routine and feeling refreshed after a day of "everybody in their place" – Minnesota has turned into the Midwest Wussies.  (Perhaps this would be a great name for our football team...we could hang it from the new stadium that the tax payers are buying for them.)  Thanks to a wonderful precedent set by our Governor, every time the temp drop below zero now – school is called off.  Are the buildings not heated?  Do we need another referendum to pay the Xcel bill?

I know, I know.  You all can tell me it's because of BUSSING and I'm tired of the excuses.  We are now an advanced auto nation and if we can't find a way to keep these suckers running we have more problems than the Edmund Fitzgerald.  You're worried about the kids standing out by the bus stop and freezing?  How about placing a little responsibility on the parents to make sure they are dressed appropriately.  I (as many other Minnesotans) currently own a sleeping bag that is rated to 
"-40 degrees."  Surely if it's implied that we could sleep in this weather...a few minutes waiting for a bus won't kill you.  WEAR A SLEEPING BAG IF YOU MUST!

Just to raise a point here...parents are running out of PTO days.  I am lucky that this doesn't play a factor in our house, but in the majority of homes, PTO is a commodity and non-paid days off aren't a problem.  At some point the choice will be made to leave the kids home alone on a 'no school' day because grocery money pulls rank over child supervision.  No judgement here – but you can't tell me that every family has the flexibility to put up with this years' district weaknesses.

To follow up the multiple 'no school' days in our district there seems to be an insane amount of "teacher work days."  Again...just saying:
 - work 9 months/year
 - extended days off for each holiday (spring break included)
 - "prep time" throughout the school day
 - many teacher 'workshop' days
 - I could go on

Argue if you must.  I was a classroom teacher for a short time so I can honestly speak from both sides of the coin.  But I'm pressing you to imagine this:
 - April 13th:  Accountant "workshop day"
 - Post-birthday party:  Sanitation Engineer/Trash Man "workshop day"
 - Your uncle has a heart attack at a family dinner:  SORRY it fell on an "Emergency Room" "workshop day"

Instead of complaining about extra time with my kids this week (and another blessed day anticipated for Monday) Axel and I enjoyed a peaceful day with some paint.  Using an old projector screen that I bought for $1 at a garage sale years ago – we filled an empty wall with: "Kite Flying 101."

For those of you celebrating your first weekend this week (this is at least my second) – Happy Saturday.  It's a "snow day!"  Stay home and enjoy.

...oops.