New York City's students will take to the virtual classroom on Monday as a powerful winter storm brings hazardous conditions to the region. In a bid to ensure public safety, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels have announced that all 500,000 elementary and middle school students across over 1,100 schools will be joining classes remotely.
This decision comes after nearly a foot of snow fell in some New Jersey communities, prompting dozens of school districts to declare "snow days." In contrast, the Big Apple received more than half a foot of snow, with sleet and freezing rain expected to make conditions even more treacherous.
To mitigate potential disruptions, the city's education department has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that devices are in hand for students and families, as well as providing educators with the necessary tools to facilitate remote learning.
While some parents may have lamented the decision not to allow students a snow-day, officials argue that the tight school calendar is a contributing factor. The state requires 180 instructional days per year, leaving little room for flexibility in the schedule.
In a lighthearted gesture, Mayor Mamdani seemed to acknowledge this by jokingly saying he'd be happy to take a snowball to the face if anyone threw one at him on Monday.
This move is part of the city's efforts to minimize disruptions and prioritize public safety during inclement weather. With schools closed, all after-school programs, adult education, and school-based activities will also be canceled on Monday.
This decision comes after nearly a foot of snow fell in some New Jersey communities, prompting dozens of school districts to declare "snow days." In contrast, the Big Apple received more than half a foot of snow, with sleet and freezing rain expected to make conditions even more treacherous.
To mitigate potential disruptions, the city's education department has been working tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that devices are in hand for students and families, as well as providing educators with the necessary tools to facilitate remote learning.
While some parents may have lamented the decision not to allow students a snow-day, officials argue that the tight school calendar is a contributing factor. The state requires 180 instructional days per year, leaving little room for flexibility in the schedule.
In a lighthearted gesture, Mayor Mamdani seemed to acknowledge this by jokingly saying he'd be happy to take a snowball to the face if anyone threw one at him on Monday.
This move is part of the city's efforts to minimize disruptions and prioritize public safety during inclement weather. With schools closed, all after-school programs, adult education, and school-based activities will also be canceled on Monday.
Like, what's the point of even having a snow day if you're just gonna sit around all day? And don't even get me started on how much I hate the idea of virtual classrooms... like, can't they just be left alone to play outside with their friends for once?! 
i feel bad for the parents who were probably looking forward to just letting their little ones have some freedom from school. hope everything goes smoothly online and that the teachers are all set up to make learning fun remotely 
But at the same time, you can't blame the city for being safe, right? All those roads and whatnot gonna be super slippery. It's just that now they're gonna have to deal with a whole lot of tantrums from parents who were really looking forward to a snow day 
snowdays r soooo overrated 
my fave subject is online gaming 
anywayz this decision seems pretty reasonable 
esp since NYC has to follow those strict schduals 
mayor mamdani's joke about takin a snowball to da face lol 
makes me wanna LOL 
lets all just stay home n play some games instead 
