NYC Public Schools not closed - open today, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014 - Chancellor Farina announces field trips cancellation

NYC DOE

UPDATE by Chancellor Farina states that school is open today but all school field trips cancelled:

"Schools Will Remain Open

"Due to anticipated inclement weather conditions, all school field trips will be cancelled today, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Schools will be open. Families with busing questions should contact the Office of Pupil Transportation at 718-392-8855. Parents, as always, should exercise their own judgment with regard to their children. Safety is a top priority for the Department."

============

A winter storm watch is in effect as the first of three storms hit New York City on Feb. 3. The second storm hit last night between midnight to 6 p.m. ET Wednesday.

A snow alert has been issued by New York City's Department of Sanitation. Residents can check when their streets will be plowed here: maps.nyc.gov/snow.

A winter storm watch will be in effect overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday. Locations in effect are New York City Metropolitan Area, Northeast New Jersey and northern portions of western Long Island.

Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches is expected with one quarter inch of ice. The snowfall began at minight turned to sleet with freezing rain in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The New York City Department of Education had cancelled all after school programs and field trips on Feb. 3 in light of yesterday's snow.

An announcement on the DOE website states: "Due to inclement weather conditions, after-school programs and PSAL activities are cancelled today, Monday, February 3, 2014. Since snow is expected to make roads slippery, we urge New Yorkers to exercise caution when traveling to and from schools. Safety is a top priority for the Department."

UPDATE by Chancellor Farina states that school is open today but all school field trips cancelled:

"Schools Will Remain Open

"Due to anticipated inclement weather conditions, all school field trips will be cancelled today, Wednesday, February 5, 2014. Schools will be open. Families with busing questions should contact the Office of Pupil Transportation at 718-392-8855. Parents, as always, should exercise their own judgment with regard to their children. Safety is a top priority for the Department."

Earlier this year, all public schools were cancelled on Jan. 3 due to blizzard-like conditions brought on by Storm Hercules.

On Jan. 22, schools were open across all NYC DOE public schools despite accumulation of 14 inches of snow by Winter Storm Janus.

News
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire
The unyielding faith of one woman that shook an empire

In the year AD 203, a young woman named Vibia Perpetua stepped into a Roman arena in Carthage, North Africa. The crowd jeered, wild beasts prowled, and death was certain. Yet she did not hesitate.

Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles
Joy in the journey – serving King Jesus, meeting King Charles

Nicki Duncalfe said 'yes' to God's call, leaving behind comfort and career to support her husband’s mission flying with MAF, raise her boys cross-culturally, and live out her faith in extraordinary ways.

Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world
Pope Leo XIV’s first Mass sends a defining message of faith in a distracted world

Standing beneath Michelangelo’s towering fresco of the Last Judgement, newly elected Pope Leo XIV delivered his first papal homily in the Sistine Chapel, setting a bold and unmistakable tone for his pontificate. His message: reclaim an authentic vision of Jesus Christ or risk living in a state of “practical atheism”.

China clamps down on foreign missionaries
China clamps down on foreign missionaries

China has imposed sweeping restrictions on Christian practices.