Mass. Schools Deciding Between Snow Or Remote Day Amid First Expected Storm

Massachusetts schools are weighing options of how to handle the commonwealth's first expected snow storm.

With many school districts already in strictly remote classes or a hybrid model amid the COVID-19 pandemic, should there still be snow days if students are already attending classes virtually?

Worcester said it has already made its decision, opting to keep students in virtual classes unless the snow storm causes widespread power outages that would affect virtual classes, WCVB reports.

Brookline, Cambridge, Lawrence, Lynn, Newton and Quincy have reportedly also warned parents that they intend to continue holding "remote learning days" during snow storms. School officials said they are trying to make up days already lost due to COVID-19 cancellations by holding classes on days that would otherwise be cancelled if held in-person.

Other districts, including Plymouth, said they intend to keep their current snow day policy amid the ongoing pandemic.

"Our administrative team has decided that it is in the best interest of our students, staff, and families to continue with our current snow day policy -- a day off for students to enjoy and for our school community to stay safe," said Chris Campbell, superintendent of Plymouth Schools via WCVB.

Campbell said the district is also considering potential widespread power outages during inclement weather and appropriateness of remote instruction for vulnerable learners as factors to not hold remote classes during snow days.

A winter storm warning has reportedly been issued in several southern New England states ahead of expected snow on Thursday.

The winter storm warning will go into effect Wednesday night and extend through most of eastern and central Massachusetts, as well as Rhode Island and Connecticut, with up to a foot of snow expected along the south coast of New England, NWS Boston announced on Twitter Tuesday (December 15) afternoon.

"A significant winter storm is expected to produce heavy snowfall across our region late Wed into Thu. Widespread 8-12" of snowfall are forecasted with lesser amounts towards the S Coast," NWS Boston tweeted. "Travel will be difficult with snow packed roads, especially during Thu AM commute."

NWS Boston expanded its winter storm watches to include all of southern New England for the upcoming expected storm in a tweet shared Tuesday morning.

CBS Bostonmeteorologist Terry Eliasen reports snowflakes are expected to begin falling at 7:00 p.m. in southwest Connecticut and 11:00 p.m. in northeast Massachusetts, with snowfall becoming steady after midnight in all areas of southern New England.

The heaviest snow fall is expected to take place between 2:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, with intensity lessening after 10:00 a.m. and about 80-90% accumulation being done, CBS Boston reports. There will, however, likely be some decreasing scattered light to moderate snow bands between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with a few leftover flurries along the coast just after 4:00 p.m.

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