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New York City public schools reopened for in-person learning Tuesday following a one-day pivot to remote instruction due to a major snowstorm that blanketed the city over the weekend.
Mayor Zohran K. Mamdani announced that all programs and activities would resume as scheduled, marking a return to normalcy after Monday's virtual learning day.
"As dedicated city workers mobilized across all five boroughs to clear our streets and keep New Yorkers safe, teachers and students this morning came together online – reading, learning and staying connected," Mayor Mamdani said in a statement. "Thanks to the round-the-clock work of our schools facilities teams, we are ready to welcome students and staff back to classrooms tomorrow."
The decision to shift to remote learning on Monday rather than declaring a traditional snow day was made to prioritize safety while still meeting New York State's 180-day instructional requirement. According to preliminary data released by the city, nearly 375,000 students—approximately 80% of those expected—successfully logged into virtual classrooms on Monday.
Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels praised the community effort: "When it mattered most, our communities worked together to weather the storm." He thanked school staff who worked to ensure pathways were clear and classrooms were warm for students' return.
The transition to remote learning wasn't without challenges. Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, noted there were some issues with Google Classroom, which reportedly crashed for some users Monday morning.
"The one glitch seemed to be Google," Mulgrew said. "They had the same notice as our students, parents, and teachers, so they need to do better."
High school students and those in grades six through eight attending schools that serve grades six through twelve already had Monday off due to a previously scheduled professional development day.
The Education Department had prepared for the remote learning day by conducting stress tests of their systems. Chancellor Samuels told Chalkbeat in December that they had "increased the capacity to make sure that we can house as many students as possible," with the ability to handle a million students logging in simultaneously within 60 seconds.
Over the weekend and throughout Monday, New York City Public Schools deployed facilities teams to every school building to prepare for students' return, including ice and snow removal at school entrances and ensuring buildings were properly heated.
Parents with questions about remote learning can still contact NYC Public Schools at 718-935-5100 for assistance.
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