NYC Public Schools to Open Monday Despite Snow, Mamdani Confirms

New York City public schools will remain open on Monday, despite a looming winter storm. Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed this decision on Friday. Classes may proceed either in-person or virtually, with a final announcement expected by noon on Sunday.

Decision on Snow Day Raises Concerns

Mayor Mamdani expressed empathy for students wishing for a traditional snow day. “I have to apologize to the students that were hoping for a different answer,” he stated. Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels emphasized that learning will continue in a safe environment.

• PSAL events are canceled on Sunday.
• High school students already have a scheduled professional development day off.

Challenges of Remote Learning

In previous years, transitioning to remote learning caused significant issues. The last all-remote day saw system overload due to high student logins. Samuels acknowledged the difficulties, stating, “that day that will live in infamy.” However, he reassured the public that the city has improved its capacity for remote instruction.

Currently, the system can now support one million students logging in simultaneously within just one minute. Samuels expressed confidence in the preparedness for Monday if remote learning is necessary.

Legal Obligations and Community Reactions

Mamdani acknowledged the nostalgia of snow days but stated they are constrained by state laws requiring 180 days of instruction. Previous administrations’ addition of holidays has limited flexible arrangements for unexpected closures.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella criticized the decision, advocating for a remote learning model if a snow day is not feasible. He pointed out unique transportation challenges faced by Staten Island students.

Rethinking Snow Days

Chancellor Samuels suggested that the situation represents an opportunity to rethink what a snow day means. He noted that remote learning can still incorporate flexibility, allowing students to enjoy the snow while continuing their education.

“Some learning will be synchronous. Some will be asynchronous,” he explained. The priority remains ensuring that instruction continues, especially considering the educational setbacks experienced during the pandemic.

School officials are expected to finalize their plans by Sunday, keeping the community’s safety in mind amid the potential storm.