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FULL: Mamdani on NYC snow plan for school students
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels gave an update on the city's plan for students.
NEW YORK - As a winter storm is expected to impact the Tri-State Area, including New York City, this weekend, many New Yorkers are wondering how heavy snow could affect the start of the school week.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and city officials provided an update on the city’s plan for students as officials continue to monitor the forecast
What we know:
Mamdani said the city is still waiting to make a final decision on whether schools will operate in person or remotely, adding that New Yorkers will be informed by noon Sunday. He apologized to students and families, saying the choice would be between in-person and remote learning, not a traditional snow day, reaffirming remarks he made earlier in the day.
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FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods joins Dan Bowens for the latest on this weekend's snowstorm in New York City.
He also urged New Yorkers to stay indoors during the storm, joking that they should "watch the worst reality TV you can find," and avoid going out in dangerous conditions.
When asked how the city would prevent technical issues if thousands of students log on at once — referencing a previous system crash — Mamdani and the schools chancellor said officials have stress-tested the system, including a trial with 1,000 students logging in simultaneously, to help avoid similar problems.
Latest:
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 31: New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani departs after announcing a series of top appointments, including the city’s new schools chancellor, ahead of his swearing-in on December 31, 2025, in New York City. Mamdani an …
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of a briefing on the expected extreme weather, a move that allows the state to mobilize resources and could influence school operations if conditions worsen.
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NEW YORK CITY - DECEMBER 27: Children and adults sled in the snow in Brooklyn after an overnight storm on December 27, 2025 in New York City. The New York City metro area received over 4 inches of snow, the first time the city has recorded over 4 in …
What we know:
The National Weather Service says the storm could deliver 8 to 18 inches of snow, with lingering impacts into the workweek.
With the storm expected to peak Sunday, attention is turning to whether New York City public schools will hold classes Monday.
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Mamdani says 'no' to snow day
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York, during a news conference at Gracie Mansion in New York, US, on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Mamdani held his first news conference from Gracie Mansion on Monday, after moving into the official mayoral residence with his w …
What they're saying:
Mayor Mamdani said Friday in an interview on NY1, that schools are expected to be open in some form, either in person or through remote learning, depending on how conditions develop. City officials plan to make a final decision by noon Sunday, he said.
"It will not be a normal snow day," Mamdani said.
NYC schools could go all- remote if the percentage of New Yorkers testing positive for COVID-19 reaches 3 percent over a seven-day rolling average. (FILE)
Dig deeper:
According to the NYC school calendar, Monday is a Professional Development Day, meaning students at high schools and schools serving only grades 6 through 12 are not scheduled to attend. All other students are currently scheduled to be in school.
What we don't know:
It's unclear whether that was a factor in the mayor's decision.
QUEENS, NEW YORK: An empty classroom is part of the preparation for the return of in-person learning at Public School 143. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images)
What's next:
City officials say they will continue to monitor the forecast and road conditions as the storm approaches.
That distinction could factor into any systemwide decision if snow or icy conditions linger into Monday.
The Source: This article is based on information from the National Weather Service, NYC Schools, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Chancellor Kamar Samuels.