How Snow Days Will Work At Andover Schools Amid Pandemic

ANDOVER, MA — During a normal year, the news of a snow storm heading for Andover would bring on the prospect that school could be canceled. Amid the pandemic and with an online school system in place, that prospect has dimmed somewhat.

This year, because of hybrid and distance learning models in place, the state has granted permission to districts to shift to a "distance learning day" instead of cancelling in-person school because of inclement weather. This day will count as a day of school and all students will be expected to log in online to classes.

In Andover, schools will switch to remote learning days, if the weather makes it difficult or unsafe for students and staff to get to school, Superintendent Sheldon Berman said in a letter to families. But if there are power outages that affect online learning, the school system will call "no school days," which will have to be made up at the end of the year.

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The district will send out a notice via email, text, voice recording, Twitter and the district website. Channels 4, 5, 7, Boston 25 and NBC Boston will also list remote learning days in addition to school closures on their websites and on TV during weather events.

The district announcement will make clear whether a snow day is a remote learning day or a no school day, Berman said.

The district may also delay start times by one or two hours based on road conditions. Remote students will follow the same schedule as in-person students, and schools will dismiss at the regular time.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.