I am an NYC educator and a mother of an NYC elementary school student, and I am deeply concerned about the safety and accessibility of our schools on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, due to the recent snowstorm. The roads remain unclean, with snow drifts reaching almost two feet in height, making it hazardous for students and staff to commute safely to school.

In the past, school buses have been extremely delayed or failed to pick up students altogether. This situation is exacerbated for students in wheelchairs, who face significant challenges boarding and disembarking buses, as well as navigating into school buildings because of the uncleared snow. Our school community also includes many parents who are disabled, making it nearly impossible for them to safely accompany their children to school under these conditions.

Furthermore, a substantial portion of our staff resides outside the five boroughs, meaning a high absenteeism rate is likely due to the current road conditions. The lack of adequate personnel can severely impact the quality of education and supervision our children receive.

Our children’s education and safety should not be compromised by the weather. Adopting remote learning for the day is a viable and necessary solution, allowing continuity in education while ensuring the safety of students, staff, and their families. We have successfully transitioned to remote learning in the past during adverse weather conditions and can do so again to protect our community.

I urge the NYC Department of Education to prioritize the safety of its students and staff by temporarily moving to remote learning on February 24, 2026. Please sign this petition to help secure a safe and accessible solution for our city's children and their educators.