US Winter Storm: Live Updates – Snow & Blackouts

A winter storm is disrupting education for millions of students across the United States, forcing widespread school closures and a shift to remote learning. New York City public schools, the nation’s largest system, will close buildings and transition to virtual classes on Monday, impacting over a million students.

Widespread Disruptions: Cities Cancel classes

A major winter weather system is causing school districts in several major cities to cancel in-person classes or move to remote instruction.

• New York city schools will be closed Monday, with classes held remotely.
• Chicago public schools were closed Friday but are expected to reopen Monday.
• Several cities in the South, including houston, Atlanta, and Dallas, have announced school closures for Monday.
• School closures also affect major cities in the Northeast and Midwest, such as Philadelphia, Boston, and Memphis.
• The Washington,D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas are still evaluating whether to cancel classes.

Did you know?-School closures due to weather are often decided based on a combination of factors, including temperature, precipitation type, and road conditions, prioritizing student and staff safety.

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Impact

Beyond New York, several other major Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic cities are bracing for impact. Philadelphia public schools will be closed on Monday, the district announced. Boston public schools will also be closed Monday, according to thier website.

Southern Cities Take Precautions

The storm’s reach extends far south. Houston Autonomous School District announced all schools and facilities will be closed on Monday. In the Atlanta metropolitan area, Gwinnett and Fulton counties, along with Decatur city schools, will conduct classes remotely, while DeKalb County will cancel classes altogether on Monday. The Dallas Independent School District will also be closed on Monday,its website stated. Charlotte,North Carolina’s largest city,will close public schools on Monday.

Pro tip-Check your local school district’s website or social media for the most up-to-date details regarding closures and remote learning schedules.

Midwest Conditions

Chicago public schools were closed Friday due to extreme temperatures, but officials anticipate a return to in-person learning on Monday. Memphis-shelby County schools will be closed Monday due to “hazardous conditions.”

What’s the latest on the Washington, D.C., area? Large public school systems in the Washington, Maryland and Virginia area have not yet announced whether they will cancel classes.

Reader question-How do school districts balance the educational needs of students with safety concerns during severe weather events? Share your thoughts!

Looking Ahead

School officials are continuing to monitor the evolving weather conditions and will provide updates as needed.