Will Brookline Get Snow Days This Winter?

BROOKLINE, MA — During a normal year, news of a snowstorm heading for Brookline would bring the prospect that school could be canceled. But with online learning amid the coronavirus pandemic, that prospect in Brookline has dimmed somewhat for anyone in grades higher than Kindergarten.

This year, the state is allowing school districts to pivot to virtual learning instead of canceling in-person classes amid winter weather, rather than having to add a day to be made up at the end of the school year. In the case of a switch to virtual learning on a snow day, Brookline schools Superintendent James Marini said students should plan to shift to their shortened Wednesday online schedule.

"This winter, Brookline WILL pivot to remote instruction on what would normally be snow days," said Marini in an email to families Monday. "Students will be dismissed early on these days to enable families to enjoy some of the fun and excitement of a traditional New England snow day. "

Should the weather be too bad for in-person attendance at school, Marini said he will announce an “inclement weather day with pivot to remote instruction.”

Marini said he will make the decision the evening before if the forecast has a high degree of certainty. If the forecast is less certain, he'll let families and staff know that no one should be reporting to school by 5 a.m. on the day of the storm.

Kindergarten and BEEP students will get a traditional snow day, he said.

Any school day with no remote instruction would need to be made up at the end of the school year. Still, a school cancellation is not entirely out of the question.

"While unlikely, please note that should we have an exceptionally strong storm - for example, one that knocks out power throughout the region - I might have to declare a snow day with no remote instruction," he said.

The superintendent consults with Brookline’s public works and public safety officials to determine whether to call a snow day. Road, parking lot and parking ban conditions factor into whether he decides if school can safely open.

Once a decision has been made the district posts the news to the district website, on its social media accounts, and through automated phone calls and emails to families and staff.

"Our priorities are to ensure the safety of students and staff and to share information with you in a timely fashion so that you can best prepare," Marini said.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.