Live updates: Winter storm knocks out power to 1 million customers in Texas and South, buries NYC, New Jersey, Ohio with snow

by Rachel Morgan News Editor

A widespread winter storm is causing significant disruptions to school schedules across the United States. Numerous large public school systems have announced closures or a shift to remote learning, impacting students and families from coast to coast.

School Closures Reported

School buildings in New York City are closed Monday, with classes continuing remotely. Public schools in Chicago were closed Friday due to frigid temperatures, but are expected to resume in-person learning on Monday. The Houston Independent School District has announced a full closure of all schools and facilities for Monday.

In the Atlanta metropolitan area, Gwinnett County, Fulton County, and City Schools of Decatur will conduct classes remotely, while DeKalb County schools will be closed on Monday. Further west, the Dallas independent school district will also be closed Monday. Charlotte, North Carolina public schools will remain closed Monday as well.

The impact extends beyond the South. All public schools in Philadelphia, Boston, and Memphis-Shelby County are closed Monday, with Memphis-Shelby citing “hazardous conditions.” Nashville Metro public schools and offices will be closed for two days, Monday and Tuesday.

The Washington D.C. area is also affected. DC Public Schools are closed Monday due to a pre-planned records day. In Virginia, Fairfax County public schools will be closed Monday. Maryland’s Prince George’s County schools will also be closed Monday, while Montgomery County schools will be closed for two days, Monday and Tuesday. Finally, Baltimore City public schools will be closed Monday.

Did You Know? DC Public Schools are closed Monday not due to the storm, but because of a pre-planned records day.
Expert Insight: The widespread nature of these closures highlights the significant logistical challenges faced by school districts when responding to severe weather events. Decisions to close schools are rarely simple, balancing student safety with the disruption to families and the potential for learning loss.

While many districts have announced closures for Monday, the situation remains fluid. School systems will likely continue to monitor weather conditions and make further adjustments as needed. It is possible that additional closures or extensions of remote learning could be announced in the coming days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities have schools closed due to the storm?

New York City, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston, Memphis, Nashville, Baltimore, and multiple counties in the Atlanta and Washington D.C. areas have all announced school closures or a shift to remote learning.

Are schools in Chicago expected to reopen?

Public schools in Chicago were closed on Friday but are expected to reopen on Monday.

How long will Nashville schools be closed?

Metro Nashville public schools and offices will be closed on both Monday and Tuesday.

How do you think school districts can best prepare for and respond to increasingly frequent and severe weather events?

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