A school district in West Virginia allowed students to enjoy their first virtual snow day earlier this month, even though classes are happening virtually amidst the coronavirus pandemic, meaning schools did not need to be closed for the safety of students.

Jefferson County Schools declared a snow day on Wednesday, December 16 after Superintendent Bondy Shay Gibson sent out a touching note to parents telling them to “take pictures of your kids in snow hats they will outgrow by next year.”

“For generations, families have greeted the first snow day of the year with joy,” the letter read. “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 the first snow day of the year.”

“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,” she added. “So please, enjoy a day of sledding and hot chocolate and cozy fires,” she wrote. “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,” she concluded.

In another part of the country, a superintendent sent out a similar letter to parents that was later posted to the social media site Reddit.

“We possess the technical ability to make snow-days a thing of the past, the fact that we can do something does not mean we should,” the letter read. “Our children have sacrificed so many joys of childhood in this pandemic year, and have exchanged the carefree nature of youth for anxiety of masks, distancing, and safety protocols. Now is not the time to deprive them of the joy of a snow day.”