Should New York City public schools have opened Friday?

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All New York City public schools will be open on Friday, January 5, 2018, according to the Department of Education. All other programs and activities will be held as scheduled except field trips in yellow school buses, which are canceled.

"Thank you to all custodial engineers and custodial staff who are out in full force today to shovel snow, clear sidewalks, and ensure our buildings are ready for staff and students to safely return tomorrow," the DOE said on its website.

The move to open schools didn't sit well with everyone. An online petition to keep schools closed was signed by more than 100,000 people including parents and even New York City teachers.

The president of the teachers union said parents should make the call whether sending their children to school is safe.

Public schools were closed Thursday because of the powerful, windy snowstorm that pelted the New York area. The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning for New York City. Although most of New York City saw less than a foot of snow, the strong winds made for blizzard-like conditions.

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