Dear Maggie —
I’m currently standing in line at Schnucks with what feels like half the population of St. Louis, clutching my milk, eggs, and bread like they’re limited-edition collectibles. With this weekend’s impending storm and miles to go in this queue, I’ve got plenty of time to reflect on my life choices ⏳ and figured I’d write to you.
Between wondering if this will really be a First Alert Weather Day (I live for how giddy Steve Templeton gets!) and mentally preparing for my pipes to betray me, my thoughts naturally 🤷🏼 drifted to SMOS. With Catholic Schools Week coming up and meteorologists casually throwing around words like “Snowpocalypse” and “Arctic Armageddon,” how exactly are we supposed to celebrate when St. Louis looks like it’s about to reenact Frozen—but without the singing?
— Schnucks-Stuck Sally
Dear Schnucks-Stuck —
First of all, thank you for your service. Panic-buying groceries is a proud St. Louis tradition, and you are honoring it beautifully. I’m currently reporting live from the checkout line at Hampton Village, which now stretches back to the dairy case. (If you’re here, text me. Maybe I can wave. 😘 At this rate, I’ll still be here tomorrow.)
Second—and more importantly—rest assured: Catholic Schools Week at St. Margaret of Scotland will go on, regardless of snow, ice, subzero wind chills, or whatever dramatic name the forecast is using by the hour.
Catholic Schools Week at SMOS is usually filled with spirit days, assemblies, open houses, and that special brand of joyful chaos only a school community can create. But when St. Louis starts whispering phrases like “Arctic blast,” “historic snowfall,” and “pray for your pipes,” we pivot. Because if Catholic schools teach us anything, it’s resilience—especially when paired with dark humor and aggressive layering.
So, to help school families prepare, here are my:
Top 10 Ways to Celebrate Catholic Schools Week During an Arctic Armageddon
10. Pajama Day Becomes a Lifestyle Choice
At this point, it’s not a spirit day—it’s a survival strategy. Stuck at home? Pajamas, slippers, maybe a robe. You’re basically a monk now. And if your child arrives at school looking like a bundled marshmallow, congratulations: that’s called good parenting.
9. Morning Prayer Includes Weather Bargaining
“Dear God, please keep us safe…and maybe let the snow stop right after a respectable cancellation announcement.” Bonus prayers for functioning snow boots and locating gloves (spoiler: they’re in the car).
8. Spirit Wear, But Make It a Guessing Game
Your child insists they’re wearing SMOS spirit wear. You choose to believe them. At this point, removing layers to verify feels risky and possibly unsafe, so we’re operating on the honor system. Catholic Schools Week fashion becomes less “dress code” and more “whatever keeps everyone alive.”
7. Build-a-Saint Snowman (Before the Wind Steals Your Soul)
If conditions allow, head outside and build a snow saint. Halo optional. Facial features may freeze solid before completion.
6. Hot Chocolate Is Now a Required School Supply
This is just science. Warm beverage = better focus. Extra marshmallows are clearly an enrichment activity.
5. Teachers Become Amateur Meteorologists
Every class begins with radar checks, wind-chill comparisons, and at least one teacher saying, “Back in my day, we walked to school in this.”
4. Acts of Service = Snow Shoveling
Serving others is a cornerstone of Catholic education—especially checking on neighbors who underestimated the storm and now regret everything. Share your French toast supplies. Lend out that one good snow shovel everyone forgot to buy.
3. Spirit Days With Strategic Layering
Is it school spirit? Is it snow survival? Is it something a mountaineer would wear? Yes. School spirit shines brightest when it’s peeking out from under three scarves, a sweater rated for Antarctic research, and a coat that smells faintly of last winter.
2. Catholic Schools Week Jeopardy: Below Zero Edition
Answer: One more than you’re currently wearing.
Question: How many layers are enough layers?
1. Gratitude (and a Sense of Humor)
Even with Arctic Armageddon knocking at the door, we celebrate what makes SMOS special: dedicated teachers, supportive families, resilient students, and a community that can laugh while scraping ice off windshields (assuming you’re not one of those folks who puts their wipers up – who does that??).
So whether this weekend brings a light dusting or full-blown Snowpocalypse 2026, Catholic Schools Week at St. Margaret of Scotland will still be full of faith, fun, and fellowship—plus significantly more hats and gloves than usual.
Stay warm, stay safe, and remember: St. Louis winters don’t scare us…they build character… or at least really dramatic group texts.
— Maggie ❄️🙏
