NYC parents expressed frustration with the new policy of holding remote classes during snow days, opting to let their children have a traditional snow day instead. Some parents allowed their kids to enjoy the snow, while others felt pressured to participate in remote learning. Technical issues with remote classes added to the frustration, leading some to question the effectiveness of the policy.
New York City officials decided to replace snow days with online learning, but the plan was marred by technical issues, preventing many students and teachers from logging in. While some parents appreciated the structure it provided, others expressed frustration, and some districts have reverted to traditional snow day policies. The decision to forgo snow days has sparked debate about the impact on students' mental health and the effectiveness of remote learning, with concerns raised about the readiness of technology contractors like IBM.
New York City's public schools chancellor expressed disappointment with the technical issues that arose during the city's first implementation of remote learning on a snow day, blaming IBM for the difficulties. The controversial shift away from traditional snow days has sparked frustration among parents and criticism from Mayor Eric Adams, who defended his remarks about parents' reluctance to navigate remote learning. IBM has since expanded capacity to accommodate the surge in online users, and the company expressed regret for the inconvenience caused.
New York City public schools experienced a rocky start to remote learning as students and parents encountered widespread technical difficulties with various platforms and devices, leading to frustration and disappointment. Schools Chancellor David Banks expressed anger and blamed IBM for the authentication system's failure, while some parents opted to take their kids sledding instead of continuing to attempt logging in. Despite apologies and assurances that the issues were largely resolved, the widespread disruptions raised concerns about the readiness of the system for remote learning.
Philadelphia and the surrounding areas were hit by back-to-back snow storms, with the second storm bringing as much as seven inches of snow. Some of the highest snow totals reported by the National Weather Service include 5.9 inches in West Philadelphia and 4.6 inches at Philadelphia International Airport. The Lehigh Valley received significantly less snow, with Washington Township, Pa. reporting 3.0 inches. Delaware and parts of New Jersey also saw substantial snowfall. Overall, this week alone saw 8 inches of snow in Philadelphia, surpassing the city's average January snowfall of 7.1 inches.
Portland Public Schools decided to close for a fourth day due to impaired bus routes and dangerous conditions, while Beaverton School District announced plans to open with the possibility of changing their minds Friday morning. Other Oregon school districts, including Multnomah and Washington counties, also made different decisions for their Friday plans in response to ongoing cold weather and the possibility of further precipitation.
Several Colorado school districts, including Jeffco Public Schools, Aurora Public Schools, and Westminster Public Schools, have announced closures for Tuesday due to dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills brought by an arctic cold front. Other districts will have delayed starts, and mountain schools in the Boulder Valley School District will be closed. The cold front is expected to linger until Tuesday, with more snow falling on Monday.
South Park: Snow Day!, the new PvE game from South Park Digital Studios and THQ Nordic, will be released on March 26, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game allows players to team up with friends or bots in co-op mode to take on rivals after a snowstorm cancels school. Snow Day! features winter-themed combat, including melee and ranged weapons, special abilities, and cosmetic unlocks for characters. The standard version is priced at $29.99, with a Digital Deluxe Edition available for $49.99 and a Collector's Edition for $219.99.
THQ Nordic has released a new gameplay trailer for South Park: Snow Day, showcasing the co-op adventure game's weapons, abilities, and customization options. Developed by Question, the game allows up to four players, including familiar characters from the show, to battle through snow-covered South Park streets on a quest to save the world. The trailer highlights melee and ranged weapons, special abilities, and "iconic cosmetics" for customizing the player's character. South Park: Snow Day will be available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC, with no release date announced yet.
Publisher THQ Nordic has announced South Park: Snow Day, a 3D co-op multiplayer game set to release next year for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game follows Cartman and his friends as they enjoy a day off from school due to bad weather. Developed by Question Games, the trailer suggests a fantasy-inspired setting. South Park: Snow Day is the latest addition to the South Park game franchise, following previous releases such as South Park: The Fractured but Whole and South Park: Phone Destroyer.
