The storm is expected<\/a> to reach the city on Sunday and continue into Monday, bringing as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow and frigid temperatures.<\/p>\n At a weather briefing press conference Friday, Mamdani said the final decision between in-person and remote learning will be announced by Sunday at noon.\u00a0<\/p>\n SHOVELING SNOW COULD POSE DANGEROUS HEALTH RISK FOR ONE GROUP, EXPERTS WARN<\/a><\/p>\n “I have to apologize to the students that were hoping for a different answer for a traditional snow day,” he said. “That will not be the case.”<\/p>\n \u2018Unplugging\u2019 for mental health<\/p>\n Following Mamdani\u2019s controversial announcement, doctors weighed in on the decision, pointing out that snow days can be beneficial for kids.\u00a0<\/p>\n Snow days can be beneficial for kids, doctors share with Fox News Digital.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n “From a mental health standpoint<\/a>, the old-school, unplugged snow day is actually very healthy for kids,” Jonathan Alpert, a New York City and Washington, D.C.-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital. “Sometimes the healthiest message we can send kids is simple: \u2018Today, go outside and have fun.\u2019”<\/p>\n Snow days shouldn\u2019t be seen as “lost time,” Alpert added. They help regulate the nervous system, improve mood and allow kids to return to school more focused and refreshed.\u00a0<\/p>\n WINTER STORM FERN CHAOS GRIPS TRAVELERS AS SOME AIRLINES ISSUE AIRPORT ADVISORIES<\/a><\/p>\n The time spent outdoors being physically active can also be beneficial, he noted.<\/p>\n “An occasional snow day gives kids something they rarely get now: old-fashioned outdoor fun<\/a>,” he said. “Sledding, snowballs, building forts \u2026 no screens, no Zoom links, no pressure to stay productive.”<\/p>\n “Children don\u2019t need more screen time,” he added. “They need movement, fresh air, unstructured play and permission to unplug.”\u00a0<\/p>\n Many doctors support the “old-fashioned snow day” so that kids can play outside, get some fresh air and “commingle and socialize.” (Jill Brady\/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images)<\/p>\n Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel echoed the benefits of having a full day off with no obligations.<\/p>\n “I love the idea of an old-fashioned snow day for mental and physical health<\/a> \u2014 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.<\/p>\n TAKE A HIKE: MAINE SCHOOL TRADES DETENTION FOR FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE<\/a><\/p>\n Kathryn L. Jones, M.D., Ph.D., a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Children\u2019s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, also supports snow days as a way to help kids slow down and rediscover play.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Children don\u2019t need more screen time. They need movement, fresh air, unstructured play and permission to unplug.”\u00a0<\/p>\n “Children and teens are so highly programmed with extracurriculars \u2014 and even when they have free time, often seek relaxation and restoration online, whether in playing video games<\/a> or engaging with the wide variety of social media apps at their disposal,” she told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n “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 went on. “There is such a kinesthetic pleasure in playing outside in the snow, to notice textures, temperatures, all senses activated and engaged.”\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES<\/a><\/p>\n Jones suggested the snow day doesn\u2019t get the “respect and grace” it deserves.\u00a0<\/p>\n “For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile.”<\/p>\n Virtual learning pros and cons<\/p>\n Alpert pointed out that Zoom-based learning<\/a> was found to be ineffective during the COVID pandemic.\u00a0<\/p>\n “We already ran the experiment of replacing real life with remote learning during the pandemic, and the results were clear,” Alpert said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats \u2014 and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” said one physician.\u00a0 (iStock)<\/p>\n “Zoom school doesn\u2019t function as true learning or true rest. It keeps kids mentally \u2018on\u2019 without giving them structure or recovery, which is exactly where stress and burnout<\/a> build.”<\/p>\n Jarrod M. Leffler, Ph.D., chief of the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology at the Children\u2019s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in Richmond, Virginia, noted that virtual learning can have benefits if implemented well.<\/p>\n \u00a0CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER<\/a><\/p>\n “Pivoting to virtual learning during a snowstorm can provide consistency for the student and limit the potential of adding days onto the school year,” he told Fox News Digital. “For some youth, this may be a positive experience.”<\/p>\n However, if the learning is not well planned, supported and implemented, the switch to virtual could cause more stress for students and teachers<\/a>, according to Leffler.<\/p>\n “For the lessons learned about nature, the world around us and our own internal landscapes, the snow day is worthwhile,” a doctor said. (iStock)<\/p>\n “Also, depending on the intensity of the inclement weather, teachers may be left to manage life stressors not normally requiring attention while teaching, resulting in stress for the teacher<\/a>, which can impact the learning experience,” he said.<\/p>\n “It is important to not place a high level of learning burden on the student to limit increasing stress and potentially impact emotional and behavioral functioning.”<\/p>\n Tips for a safe, active snow day<\/p>\n For kids who do get the chance to enjoy an unplugged snow day, the doctors offered some simple tips to get the most out of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n “Stay warm, wear hats, gloves and coats \u2014 and if you get wet, go inside for a warm shower and a cup of hot chocolate,” Siegel suggested.\u00a0<\/p>\n “These are some of my best memories from childhood<\/a>, along with sledding down \u2018Dead Man\u2019s Hill.\u2019”<\/p>\n![\"Children](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/children-sled-riding.gif\")
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