Will my school be open Tuesday? What to know about Long Island closures after snowstorm
Snow cleanup starts at the First Student Bus Depot on West John Street in Hicksville on Monday. Credit: Neil Miller
Long Island public schools will remain closed for a second day this week after a potentially record-breaking storm dumped more than 2 feet of snow in some areas.
But while many students will enjoy a "traditional" snow day Tuesday, Island school officials said some will have to attend classes virtually — an option generally unpopular with students and educators but, they said, necessary to meet the state's 180-day minimum requirement for instruction.
Marie Testa, president of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents and superintendent of North Bellmore schools, said the decision to close came down to safety for students, families and staff.
“While many of the main roads may be cleared [by Tuesday], we're still dealing with power outages across different areas, trees down in different areas,” she said. “It’s all rooted in making the decision that is the safest for all.”
Several thousand PSEG Long Island customers remained without power Monday evening.
The Middle Country district, which has about 9,000 students, declared a traditional snow day for Tuesday. Superintendent Roberta Gerold said she did not believe the parking lots of her 14 schools would be cleared in time to open. She said she’s also worried about road conditions for staff to safely commute to work and the condition of side streets, where students would stand on to take the bus.
Tough decision
The decision to close is a tough one for educators like Gerold. Nearly half of her students live in homes that are eligible for government assistance like the free and reduced lunch program and many depend on school for reliable meals.
“I worry a little bit because the school's been closed for a week,” Gerold said, referring to the recent winter break. “We have families that are food-insecure and their kids depend on us for their breakfast and lunch. So I'm sure there is anxiety there.”
Gerold said Middle Country had three snow days set aside in its calendar and remote learning was not an option for Tuesday given staff and families were not prepared.
“I'm not sure if all of our students brought their Chromebooks home, or if our teachers bought theirs [home], or if they have their remote lessons built in,” Gerold said.
Gerold said she would convene her staff Wednesday to put a remote plan in place in case of more snow in the coming weeks.
Remote learning day
Kings Park was among the school districts that opted for virtual instruction Tuesday, despite concerns that some students may not have their devices at home following the winter break.
“We understand that a remote learning day will present challenges,” Superintendent Timothy T. Eagen wrote to families in a letter Monday. “And that this is not an ideal learning method for all children.”
But, he said, Kings Park had only one snow day embedded in this year’s calendar and had used it for the storm in January, when about 1 foot of snow fell on many parts of the Island.
The state Education Department granted waivers for school districts to close on Monday and said districts could apply for a waiver for Tuesday. Being approved was not guaranteed, though.
Having a traditional snow day Tuesday would have meant clawing back a day somewhere down the road — likely from spring break, Eagen said.
“The state ‘forgave’ today, and this same assurance is not in place for tomorrow,” he wrote. “Therefore, a remote instructional day is necessary to preserve a full spring recess.”
The Shelter Island district also planned to hold classes virtually Tuesday. In a letter to families, Superintendent Brian Doelger said he understood some students might not have their devices at home and that the storm might have caused power outages for some. He said staff would offer flexibility and work to ensure students had access to materials and support.
South Huntington school officials informed families that students in grades 6-12 would be required to attend classes virtually Tuesday as the district was still waiting for guidance from the state on whether they could get a waiver, Superintendent Vito D'Elia said.
Patchogue-Medford district officials told parents school would be closed Tuesday, but the district planned to hold classes May 26 and 27 due to "contractual obligations regarding the school calendar."
In New York City, meanwhile, students got some bad news: After getting the day off Monday, city officials announced all students would have to return to school for in-person instruction Tuesday.
Newsday's Maura McDermott contributed to this story.
Dandan Zou covers education for Newsday. Previously, she worked for a community newspaper in Maryland and a personal finance magazine in Washington, D.C.
