Andover Schools Remote In Response To Predicted Foot Of Snow

ANDOVER, MA — Andover schools will be remote Thursday due to the snowstorm, the district announced.

Andover could get as much as 18 inches of snow, according to the latest National Weather Service forecast.

The entire region was put under a winter storm warning, with 6 to 15 inches of snow expected. The Andover area was forecast to get 12 to 18 inches.

Snowfall was expected to be heaviest between midnight and 8 a.m. Thursday

>>MA Snowstorm: Road Cleanup Could Take Longer Than Usual

Local restrictions

The town has not declared a snow emergency, but here's what we know about how local officials are handling the storm. Check the town's Storm Information Center for the most up-to-date information.

Parking ban

Andover put in place a parking ban from midnight through 7 a.m. Thursday.

During a snow emergency parking ban, parking is banned on all town streets except by town vehicles. Any vehicle violating this rule will be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense.

Town officials "typically allow some residents to temporarily park in the municipal lots depending on the situation," said Andover police Lt. Edward Guy. If you don't have a space for your car and a ban is announced, call the Snow & Ice Department.

Trash collection

The town announced a one day trash and recycling collection delay.

Remote school

Andover Public Schools will be remote-only Thursday. All classes will be held remotely and there will be no in-person activities, including athletics and arts.

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 dimmed.

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 canceling 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.

Other measures

"We'd like to remind residents to please move back their items that may be near the road, especially basketball hoops," the Public Works Department said on Facebook ahead of the storm. "Other items such as planters, pavers, decorative items, hockey nets, and anything else should be moved at least 8 feet back to avoid impeding snow removal operations and damage to your items."

Town offices and the library will be closed Thursday.

Questions? Any updates we're missing? Taken a photo that captures the storm well?

We're doing our best but that doesn't mean we've covered everything. Email Christopher Huffaker at chris.huffaker@patch.com and I'll try to get your question answered. If I've missed an announcement, I'll be sure to add it to this guide. And Patch always loves to share our readers' photos.

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