New York City public school buildings will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026, due to the severe Winter Storm Fern that has blanketed the area with heavy snow and hazardous conditions. Instead of a traditional snow day, the NYC DOE has pivoted to remote learning for most students to keep instructional time on track while prioritizing safety. Some Long Island and private Catholic schools are handling closures differently, with some opting for full snow days without remote instruction.
Why NYC Schools Are Not Having a Traditional ‘Snow Day’
In a major winter disruption that’s gripping the Northeast and beyond — part of Winter Storm Fern, a system causing blizzard-level conditions — New York City public schools have taken an uncommon step: closing buildings but still holding instruction.
No Traditional Snow Day
Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that while the storm’s severity makes in-person attendance unsafe, the city will not designate Monday as a traditional snow day where students have the day off entirely. Instead, remote learning will be the standard instructional mode Monday.
- The city emphasized safety first as roads, sidewalks, and transit services remain hazardous.
- Remote instruction allows the NYC DOE to meet New York State’s 180-day school year requirement, protecting both student learning and state funding.
- The shift was made in coordination with the Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels and the mayor’s office.
From my years covering NYC education and weather disruptions, this isn’t just a logistical choice — it’s a policy response shaped by both safety imperatives and educational mandates that leave little room for letting days slip off the calendar entirely.
NYC DOE Remote Learning: What to Expect Monday
Who Will Log On?
- Most public school students scheduled for in-person instruction will log in via DOE-provided devices.
- Teachers and principals have been instructed to prepare materials and digital classrooms for the day.
High School & Middle School Nuances
- Students in some grades 6–12 whose schools already had a scheduled professional development day will be off both physically and remotely.
- DOE guidance encourages staggered remote start times and advance login checks by families and students over the weekend for smooth access.
Cancelations & Adjustments
- After-school programs, adult education classes, and sports activities are canceled Monday across NYC public schools.
- Bus services for charter and non-public students will not operate due to unsafe travel conditions.
Snow & Ice: What’s Driving the Closure
Winter Storm Fern has delivered historic snowfall and dangerous conditions that extend well beyond New York City.
- Central Park has exceeded 8 inches of snow with continued accumulation into Monday.
- Ice and low visibility remain persistent risks, complicating travel and outdoor safety.
- Earlier emergency declarations and travel advisories — including warnings to stay off roads — were issued across the tri-state region.
This kind of rapid accumulation and dangerous mix of snow and ice is why officials chose to opt for a remote learning protocol rather than risking students’ commute and safety.
Long Island School Closures & Differences
Across Long Island, several districts have independently opted to close schools outright on Jan. 26, 2026, reflecting regional variations in weather severity and local decision-making.
- Some districts and libraries announced closures as snow and slippery conditions persist.
- In contrast to NYC’s remote learning pivot, these closures constitute traditional snow days with no virtual instruction — often because those districts’ calendars have built-in snow days or they choose not to require remote learning.
Parents in the region should consult their local district communications for exact information, as not all Long Island schools follow the NYC DOE’s remote plan.
Private & Parochial School Decisions
Catholic Schools (Archdiocese of New York)
Several Catholic parish and regional elementary schools in Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, and nearby counties have declared full snow day closures on Jan. 26 without remote instruction.
- These schools typically have snow days built into their academic calendars, allowing a traditional break.
- High schools within these systems operate independently; families should follow their school’s own communications.
This highlights the patchwork nature of storm responses: public schools pivot to remote learning, while some private and parochial schools take a snow day.
How This Fits into NYC’s School Year Framework
Avoiding Lost Instructional Days
New York State mandates a minimum of 180 instructional days — a figure that NYC’s calendar is tightly scheduled to meet.
- In recent years, particularly since the COVID-era expansion of remote capabilities, the DOE has trended toward virtual pivot days instead of blanket snow days — preserving learning time.
- Critics argue this approach erodes the traditional joy of snow days, but officials emphasize safety and academic requirements.
From covering school closures during past storms, the transition to remote learning — even for a single day — reflects how digitally equipped the system has become and how policymakers balance safety with state compliance.
Parent and Community Reaction
The shift from in-person to remote learning on a day that would once have been a celebrated snow day has drawn mixed responses:
- Some parents appreciate the focus on student safety and continuity.
- Others — especially families juggling childcare and work — find the sudden pivot disruptive and wish for a traditional snow day.
- Online forums and local debates reflect both nostalgia for old-fashioned snow days and frustration with screen fatigue amid remote learning expectations.
This tension — between safety, learning continuity, and childhood experience — is central to the broader discussion unfolding in NYC and other impacted regions.
Conclusion: What Families Should Know
Yes — NYC public school buildings are closed Monday, Jan. 26, 2026. But rather than a snow day off, instruction will continue remotely for most students to protect safety and meet academic requirements. Long Island and private Catholic schools may choose traditional closures with no virtual learning, so check local announcements.
This decision from the NYC DOE and city leadership underscores the realities of modern schooling in major cities facing extreme winter weather: keeping students safe often means reconciling historic traditions with the demands of digital instructional continuity and calendar obligations.
