January 15, 2025

I hear two things from parents regarding the topic of playing outdoors in the winter.

Having come from the clean air and sunshine of rural Nebraska where work outside all year round was necessary, the first response above came as a bit of a surprise.  I also realize that for some who are not as used to the cold, Nebraska can feel really cold.  

Then there is Sister Mary Ruth and Abbey.  Abbey is one of our postulants, Sister Mary Ruth has been with us a good long time and was assigned to St. Teresa School a little while back.  They are both from North Dakota, where it snows in November and the snow piles up until spring until it finally has a chance to melt.   When the rest of us don sweaters, they don’t need one. When we have coats on, they break out the sweaters. They do have coats, and are they in great condition, due to low frequency of use!

As I delve into what is best for our children, I see the great outdoors as an instrumental part of a healthy education.  Balanced and Barefoot, by Angela Hanscom; The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt; the whole Nature Explore program…all make the strongest recommendation possible for getting kids outside often.  A cohort from another school, with a well-developed Nature Explore Program, has the little ones going outside every day. Earlier this week when it was cold, a teacher described the older children who were inside because it was “too cold out”, looking with envy at the little ones decked out in mittens, hats and snow pants playing away!

From the notes above, you can tell I’m a proponent of getting outside. Our policy is that we go out for recess if it is 10 degrees or above (that includes wind chill). I’d be glad to hear what you think about the issue.  Shoot me a note, or let’s have a chat outside at drop off. I plan to be out there every day it is warm enough to have school!

Ice and snow, bless the Lord!

Cold and chill, bless the Lord!

All the rest of us, too, bless the Lord.

Sister Mary Michael, C.K.