Will my school be open Wednesday? What to know about Long Island closures
First Student buses in Bellport were grounded Monday as roads were designated for essential workers only. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Many Long Island schools plan to open Wednesday, with some opting for a delayed start, after the massive blizzard that shut down schools for two days this week.
But a few districts, including Brentwood and East Hampton, announced that students will learn virtually, citing unsafe road conditions.
In a letter to families, Brentwood schools Superintendent Wanda Ortiz-Rivera said school officials are concerned about students who walk to school when sidewalks and neighborhood pathways remain difficult to navigate. Her letter also noted high snow accumulation pushed to the sides of streets and at bus stops, making it difficult for students and buses to travel.
“This decision was not made lightly,” she wrote. “We know how important in-person learning is for our children, and we remain hopeful that we will resume in-person instruction on Thursday.”
Some districts switched to remote learning Tuesday to meet a mandated 180-day instruction minimum, despite challenges with power outages and students' ability to access their devices. Long Island students were on winter break last week and they may not have had their devices at home.
Babylon schools had “traditional” snow days for its students this week, meaning no remote instruction, and plan to resume a regular schedule Wednesday, said Superintendent Carisa Manza.
“I'm ready to go back. It's been a long stretch since we haven't seen the students,” she said. “Definitely ready to get back to … what it is that we do — teaching and learning.”
Levittown, Manhasset, Plainedge and Hempstead are among the districts also planning to start on schedule Wednesday.
Middle Country will open Wednesday as well, but Superintendent Roberta Gerold said schools will have a delayed start as the conditions on side roads in the community were faring worse than she anticipated.
'Be safe'
School officials cautioned families to allow extra time Wednesday morning in case of delays due to road conditions.
“Understandably, there might be some snowbanks as you're traversing throughout the village and near the schools,” Manza said. “Be patient. Be safe.”
In a letter to families Tuesday, Levittown’s deputy superintendent, Beth Zirogiannis, alerted students that there would be reduced parking spaces in the school lots due to snow mounds and said schools will offer flexibility for Wednesday's arrival.
“We understand that winter weather can create circumstances beyond anyone’s control,” she wrote. “Please know that our schools will be flexible tomorrow with regard to lateness as everyone works safely through these conditions.”
Check back for updates on this developing 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.
