New York City Public Schools closed Monday due to inclement weather; remote learning for students
BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) -- New York City Public Schools will be closed on Monday due to extreme weather conditions, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced on Sunday morning.
While all NYC public school buildings will be closed, instruction will continue remotely only for students scheduled to attend school on Monday.
The decision prioritizes the safety of students, families and staff while ensuring continuity of instruction and meeting New York State's 180-day instructional requirement, according to Mayor Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels.
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In addition, all after-school programs, adult education and other school-based programming are also cancelled. During the storm, some schools are being used as warming centers throughout the city.
The transition to remote instruction will impact approximately 500,000 students across more than 1,100 schools. For high school students and students in grades 6-8 attending schools that serve grades 6-12, the previously scheduled professional learning day will remain in effect, and Monday will remain a day off.
"As of 10:20 this morning, we saw that more than 162,000 students had already logged on in advance of tomorrow's remote school day along with 77,000 teachers, they are prepared for this," Mamdani said.
Schools are prepared to address technology issues if they arise. Students who need technical support can visit selfservice.schools.nyc or contact their school directly.
The mayor says they have bolstered the number of folks who are at the help desk to provide support so learning can continue.
Archdiocese of New York schools have snow day on Monday, no remote instruction. Brooklyn Diocese is closing elementary school buildings, and individual school administrations will decide whether snow day or remote learning.
Charter and nonpublic schools make independent decisions regarding closures. However, charter schools co-located in NYC public school buildings will be closed when NYCPS pivots to remote instruction.
Earlier on Sunday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani told Eyewitness News that explained how the decision is made.
"Ultimately what this comes down to is safety," Mamdani said. "If we have concerns about icy conditions or whether this would put anybody in harm's way, we will always take the safer option."
He urged New Yorkers to stay off the roads as a major winter storm brings what could be the city's most significant snowfall in years, combined with dangerously cold temperatures.
Speaking during a sanitation shift change in Brooklyn, the mayor said the storm stands out because of both its intensity and duration.
"We're seeing estimates from 8 to 11 inches, potentially beyond that," Mamdani said. "This is going to be the coldest extended period of time for New Yorkers that they've seen in the last eight years."
City officials are particularly concerned that residents may underestimate the severity of the weather.
"My number one concern is that there be New Yorkers around the city who don't understand the scale of the weather that we're looking at," Mamdani said, stressing that today is "not the day to get out there."
Instead, the mayor encouraged people to remain indoors while city workers handle storm response.
"Today is the day to stay indoors. Stay warm, huddle up with your family and friends," he said, adding that sanitation crews are working extended shifts to keep streets passable.
The city has increased staffing to meet the challenge, deploying 2,500 sanitation workers on 12hour shifts. Mamdani said plows are activated citywide once snow reaches two inches.
"We're going to be able to hit every single neighborhood, every single part of the city," he said. "There's no New Yorker that will have to wonder if their zip code means different service."
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