Philly school buildings will remain virtual on Tuesday; other Pa. and N.J. districts are a mixed bag

School districts around the region made varying calls for how they’re handling classes Tuesday as the region continues to dig out from the massive snowstorm that dumped more than a foot of snow in many places — with some closed altogether, others fully open, and others open, but delayed.

The Philadelphia School District opted for another day of virtual instruction.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has said the nation’s eighth-largest school system favors in-person instruction, but places student and staff safety as its highest priority.

In Upper Darby, Delaware County, Superintendent Dan McGarry made the call to bring students in on time.

“The district transportation team and facilities team have been working hard all day to clear snow from our facilities for in-person instruction,” McGarry wrote in a message to families and staff. “We have been in communication with the township as well, and I want to thank them for their hard work getting roads clear for school tomorrow.”

Districts including Council Rock and Pennridge, both in Bucks County, called two hour delays.

In Montgomery County, Cheltenham and Lower Merion schools both announced a two-hour delay.

“Buses are expected to arrive at bus stops two hours after their normal pickup times; however, please be patient as snow and ice on some streets may cause additional delays,” Lower Merion spokesperson Amy Buckman said in a message to families Monday evening.

Cherry Hill and Moorestown, in Camden County, will also hold classes with a two-hour delay.

And while some Pennsylvania districts pivot to virtual instruction when significant snow falls, that’s not possible in New Jersey, where state law prevents it.

A handful of New Jersey districts opted for total closures. Lenape Regional, Evesham, and Medford schools, all in Burlington County, cancelled classes altogether.

Winslow schools in Camden County will remain closed Tuesday for a second consecutive day, said interim Superintendent Mark Pease. The district was shut down for three days during the last storm.

Pease said the district would use two days from its spring in April to make up the missed days. The break will be cut to three days, he said.

“If we get another storm, we will be extending the school year,” Pease said. “Let’s hope this is it for the winter.”

The snow storm renewed calls among some New Jersey educators to the state to allow virtual and hybrid instruction to avoid closing schools due to inclement weather.

In a social media post, Camden Education Association President Pam Clark said she was asking Gov. Mikie Shirrell to revisit the virtual option for traditional public schools. She used the hashtag “not fair.”

New Jersey allowed virtual and hybrid instruction when the pandemic shut down schools.

However, state law now strictly limits remote learning, according to the state Department of Education. Districts must meet a state requirement of 180 days.

School districts may seek approval for virtual learning for school closures lasting more than three consecutive days because of a declared state of emergency or a declared public health emergency.

There has been pushback against virtual learning because of concerns about learning loss suffered during the pandemic. There also are concerns that some schools don’t have enough Chromebooks or devices for students to log on.

Timothy Purnell, executive director of the New Jersey School Boards Association, said districts should have the flexibility to pivot when circumstances warrant such as a snow day.

Districts have invested in technology and training to successfully implement virtual instruction, he said.

“Limiting virtual instruction days exclusively to public health emergencies is yesterday’s logic,“ Purnell said in a statement.