"Skinner's Sense of Snow" is the eighth episode of the twelfth season of the American animated television series The Simpsons. It first aired on the Fox network in the United States on December 17, 2000. In the episode, a snowstorm traps the students with principal Seymour Skinner and Groundskeeper Willie in Springfield Elementary. When Skinner uses his army skills to control the students, they overthrow him and take over the school. Meanwhile, Homer and Ned set out to rescue the children using Ned's car. "Skinner's Sense of Snow" was written by Tim Long and directed by Lance Kramer. While the episode's premise is based on an occurrence in Long's childhood, the setpiece came from staff writer Matt Selman. Because the episode takes place in winter, Kramer found it difficult to animate. It features references to Smilla's Sense of Snow, The Deer Hunter and Kristi Yamaguchi, among other things. In its original broadcast, the episode was seen by approximately 8.8 million viewers, finishing in 33rd place in the ratings the week it aired. Following the home video release, the episode received mostly positive reviews from critics. Plot While the Simpson family attends a French Canadian circus called "Cirque de Purée", a violent thunderstorm strikes Springfield and forces an early end to the performance. The storm turns into a snow squall overnight, leading to the closure of nearly every local school and business. Springfield Elementary School remains open, but only a few students and faculty members show up since it is the day before Christmas break. To pass the time, Principal Skinner plays a long, low-budget, poor-quality Christmas film for the children. When class lets out at the end of the day, they discover that they are now trapped in the building by the snow blocking the doors and windows. With the school's telephone service knocked out by the storm, Skinner tries to keep control over the children and begins to ration the available food. After Nelson tries and fails to escape, Skinner looks through his footlocker of memorabilia from his United States Army service and remembers when he was able to command respect from his subordinates. Hanging Nelson by his vest on a coat hook, Skinner threatens to do the same to the other children and briefly frightens them into submission. However, Bart defies Skinner and tries to tunnel his way out; Skinner stops him, but ends up half-buried in snow