NYC Schools Return To In-Person Learning Friday After Storm

NEW YORK CITY — Hold off plans for that snowy romp, New York City students.

In-person students will return to classrooms Friday after a major winter storm blew into the city, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Schools were closed Thursday for 3-K, pre-K and kindergarten through fifth graders city crews dug worked to clear up to 11 inches of heavy, wet snow. De Blasio said those kids will have time for winter fun, but likely not during the Friday school day.

“Some sledding, maybe some snowball fights, whatever they can do after schools,” he said.

The winter storm didn’t hit the city as hard as officials feared, but it still presented a difficult Thursday for New Yorkers and city workers toiling to dig out from the blast.

De Blasio said parts of the Bronx saw up to 11 inches of snow, while other boroughs saw between 5 to 8 inches.

The snow will taper off Thursday by 1 p.m. but strong winds will remain, said Deann Criswell, the city emergency management commissioner.

“It is going to remain breezy today,” she said.

Criswell warned the wind will bring freezing conditions and likely ice.

Department of Sanitation crews have been plowing streets throughout the storm, said Ed Grayson, the city’s acting sanitation commissioner. He said sleet mixed with snow made for difficult plowing.

New Yorkers need to heed warnings and stay off the roads if they can, he said.

The best place to be is home, de Blasio said.

De Blasio said alternate side parking will be suspended through Saturday. Outdoor dining will resume later Thursday in Manhattan but officials will make a decision later in the day on the other boroughs, he said.