Baby, it's cold out there

Surprisingly, it is winter again in Iowa.  It's surprising to me that it seems like so many Iowans forget that winter is a season in our state.  Around here, they like to say we have FIVE seasons, which, by my count, is one more season than I learned about in grade school.  Not being a native Iowan, I am still uncertain WHAT that 5th season is, but it seems to me it could be that season during which people deny that winter equates to cold and snow.  There are years when this season happens in August, but most years, it occurs in November, Decemebr, sometimes January.  It is quickly over once the ground freezes.  Now, the other thing that is surprising about it being winter is that school gets called off, not because it's impossible for anyone to get there, but, yes, you heard it, because it is just too cold.  Now, I get that there are certain safety issues that exist when temperatures and windchills drop below zero, approach -40.  And, it is a little scary when you hear that it is warmer at Mount Everest than it is in your own backyard.  I will also admit that there may be some children who lack proper supervision/clothing/common sense and may be in danger of frostbite after standing outside the lunch room without a jacket for longer than 10 minutes while their new winter jacket remains tucked safely in their closet at home.  HOWEVER, I must ask WHAT are we teaching this generation when we tell them, over every possible means of communication mind you, that when it gets cold outside, it's okay to stay home all day and play video games instead of carrying on a normal life while taking a few extra precautions.  I wonder if "precaution" is even something that is taught in school anymore?  Perhaps we could add a credit course where our kids study things like "preparing to go outside when the weather changes."  Of course, in order for today's kids to be prepared, it's not like parents or teachers can just "explain" it to them.  No, someone will have to develop an app or a game or some sort of constant texting thing that lets them know when they should don a cap or consider wearing boots or gloves.  We would have to come up for some kind of shorthand that means "put the dumb jacket on now" - pdjn??  lol!  Despite being a transplant to Iowa, I have successfully predicted winter every year.  I even own an ugly hat or two that covers my ears as well as a pair of mittens that are "extra warm."  I would be happy to text you each year to let you know "WLU" (wearing long underwear).