'Snow Day' No Longer Means Day Off For Peabody Schools

PEABODY, MA — A pile of snow predicted for Thursday won't necessarily mean a day off for Peabody Public Schools students.

With Peabody Schools in a hybrid learning model this year due to the coronavirus health crisis, the district will switch all students to a remote learning day in place of a traditional "snow day" should this week's storm make it too difficult or dangerous to get to the classroom.

"Although we know that nothing can replace in-person learning, we also value the continuity of instruction that remote learning days can offer," Peabody Superintendent of Schools Josh Vadala told Patch. "We understand that learning has been extremely fragmented during the pandemic and strive to provide students with consistent access to their teachers and support staff."

Peabody joins Salem, Newton and other state districts doing away with the day off in case of snow for at least the 2020-21 school year.

"Engaging in remote learning on inclement weather days will allow students to continue their learning and maintain their connections with teachers and classmates," Vadala said.

Most communities using remote learning in place of snow days say exceptions could be made in the cases of extreme winter weather causing power outages or other dangerous conditions that warrant schools going dark for the day.

More Patch Coverage: Massachusetts In Path Of Two Winter Storm Systems

No More 'Snow Days' For Salem Public Schools