As a blizzard expected to dump significant snowfall on the region bore down, school districts across the region made the call: Monday classes are cancelled — or shifted to online instruction.
The Philadelphia School District made the call early — on Saturday — calling a virtual instruction day for Monday.
“While we work to the greatest extent possible to keep schools open for in-person learning to accelerate student achievement, we also consider the staff members who are commuting from across the region and keep the safety of students and staff as our top priority,” Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a message to families and staff.
The district gave students one full snow day in January but has no more cushion built into its calendar to meet the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s requirement for 180 instructional days.
Any further inclement weather days will also be virtual learning days, Watlington said.
“After Monday, if schools need to remain closed due to inclement weather, the district will provide an update to parents, guardians and employees regarding remote learning,” Watlington said.
Among other districts that called for no school Monday: Camden, Cherry Hill, Evesham, Moorestown, and Washington Township in New Jersey; and Downington, Lower Merion, and Neshaminy in Pennsylvania.
Central Bucks, Pennsbury, Rose Tree Media and Upper Darby have moved to virtual instruction.