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Philly schools will open late Monday

Many other area school districts also have delayed openings.

Elizabeth Gassler and her son Matthew Raman, 2, walk along Kings Highway as snow falls in downtown Haddonfield early Sunday morning.
Elizabeth Gassler and her son Matthew Raman, 2, walk along Kings Highway as snow falls in downtown Haddonfield early Sunday morning.Read moreTom Gralish / Staff Photographer
    by Kristen A. Graham
    Updated 
    Published 

With snow on the ground and temperatures below freezing, Philadelphia schools will open two hours late Monday.

“The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities,” Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. said in a message to district families. “We are encouraging students, families and staff to travel safely tomorrow morning.”

Students who arrive late because of weather challenges won’t be marked late, and weather-related absences will be excused if a parent or guardian sends a note.

» READ MORE: Weekend snowstorm leaves Philly facing an icy Monday commute

All outdoor activities are also canceled, Watlington said.

“Parents and guardians should plan for possible delays with the district’s yellow bus services and on SEPTA’s subway, trolley and bus routes,” Watlington wrote. “If you anticipate delays or have questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s principal or school.”

Archdiocesan high schools and parish and regional Catholic elementary schools in the city will also operate on a two-hour delay. (Catholic schools in suburban counties generally follow their local districts’ lead.)

Frigid temperatures and stiff winds are expected to follow the season’s first snowstorm, complicating the Monday morning commute with possible ice and slush.

Other area school districts that are opening on delayed schedules include, in Pennsylvania: Bensalem Township, Cheltenham, Coatesville Area, Downington Area, Great Valley, Lower Merion, Lower Moreland Township, Marple Newtown, Neshaminy, Norristown Area, North Penn, Pennridge, Perkiomen Valley, Pottsgrove, Southeast Delco, Souderton Area, Spring-Ford Area, Tredyffrin-Easttown, Unionville Chadds Ford, Upper Merion Area, Upper Moreland Township, Upper Perkiomen, West Chester Area, William Penn, and Wissahickon.

Area school with delays in New Jersey include: Bellmawr, Black Horse Pike Regional, City of Burlington, Burlington Township, Camden City, Clearview Regional, Clementon, Deptford Township, Eastampton, Lenape Regional High, Logan Township, Mantua Township, Medford Township, Mount Holly Township, National Park, Pemberton Township, Pitman, Rancocas Valley Regional High, Riverside Township, Shamong Township, Swedesboro-Woolwich, Washington Township, Westampton Township, and Winslow Township.