BETHLEHEM, Pa.— The first snow day of the year for many Lehigh Valley students proved to be just what the doctor ordered for kids looking to catch some speed on local hills.
The National Weather Service recorded 3" of snow at Lehigh Valley International Airport by 1 p.m. on Tuesday.
Snow and freezing temperatures brought slick roads and travel disruptions to the region, even as widespread school closures offered students a four-day weekend — and a chance to go sledding.
While some schools opted for remote learning, many students were free to get outside while the snow continued to fall. Many cancellations were announced Monday evening, and that extra notice made it "a million times better" according to 10-year-old T.J. Green of Bethlehem.
"I found out from my mom," he said. "My mom texted me and said, 'There's no school tomorrow,' and I jumped up and down and said 'Wow!!' and went to sleep with a big, giant smile on my face."
"It's the best day of my life! I was sad and mad yesterday because the Eagles lost in the playoffs, but sometimes, you win and sometimes you lose."Carter Diaz, when asked how he felt about the snow day.
T.J. was sledding on the hill behind Memorial Pool on Illick's Mill Road in Bethlehem. He and his friend, Carter Diaz, 9, went out with Diaz's grandfather Robert Hawke.
Hawke said he couldn't help but do some sledding himself, joking to the kids, "Now this is how it's done," before getting a running-start and barely fitting onto the sled to go down the hill. The kids appeared to be amazed at how far Hawke was able to go on the piece of plastic.
Carter Diaz, according to his grandfather, loves to sleep on the couch in front of the fireplace and television, but is only allowed to do it when there is no school the next day.
'He just looked so happy'
"Bethlehem Area School District was notified last night," Hawke said, "So that's even better. He was so happy. I woke up at 5 a.m., and he was laying on the floor with his little blanket. He just looked so happy."
"And it turned out to be a beautiful day today," Hawke said. "Gorgeous day — big fat snowflakes," he added with a chuckle.
'You win and you lose'
Carter, despite the devastating loss for the Philadelphia Eagles the night before, was not shy about identifying himself as a die-hard supporter of the team. He lifted up his winter jacket to show a giant Eagles logo. "See," he said.
"It's the best day of my life!" Carter said, when asked how he felt about the snow day. "I was sad and mad yesterday because the Eagles lost in the playoffs, but sometimes, you win and you lose."
T.J. also said he was a big football fan, and equally disappointed about the Eagles loss Monday night. Despite this, both of the boys proudly wore Eagles colors and logos on their clothing, and chose to remain optimistic about the team's future.
Public schools in the Lehigh Valley are scheduled, as of 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, to operate as usual tomorrow.
