Mamdani reopened schools after record storm. Transit delays kept thousands of students - and teachers - home.

"Just 63% of students showed up to school, according to preliminary attendance numbers schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels shared at a Tuesday press conference. Roughly 12,000 of the city's nearly 80,000 educators - or about 15% - were also absent, though 5,000 substitute teachers were called in to fill in for absent teachers, Samuels said."

"It was not possible to ensure that enough students had the devices they needed to effectively participate in remote learning. Moreover, schools were open because they provide meals and child care, and a remote day would leave some families in need."

"Roughly 8,000 Department of Education staff worked over the weekend to clear entrances and prepare buildings for reopening. Despite those efforts, nearly half the sidewalk outside Bay Terrace P.S. 169 was unplowed during early-morning drop-off."

New York City public schools reopened for in-person learning on Tuesday following a snowstorm that dropped over two feet of snow across parts of the five boroughs. Only 63% of students attended, and approximately 15% of the city's 80,000 educators were absent, though 5,000 substitute teachers were deployed. Over 172,000 people signed a petition requesting a remote learning day, but city officials maintained in-person operations citing insufficient device access for remote participation and the need to provide meals and childcare to families. The Department of Education mobilized roughly 8,000 staff members over the weekend to clear building entrances and prepare facilities. Despite these preparations, some schools experienced unplowed sidewalks and significant staffing challenges, leading to canceled classes and schedule disruptions.

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