NYC Teacher Criticizes Mayor's Decision to Keep Schools Open During Blizzard

Elana Rabinowitz says Mamdani's order put students and staff at risk by forcing them to travel in dangerous conditions.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Elana Rabinowitz, a New York City public school teacher, is criticizing Mayor Zohran Mamdani's decision to keep schools open during a historic blizzard on Tuesday. Rabinowitz says nearly half of her students and over 20% of teachers were unable to make it to the school due to the treacherous travel conditions, forcing staff to scramble and combine classes. She argues that remote learning would have been a safer option, as other local institutions like parochial schools and CUNY colleges opted to go remote that day. Rabinowitz is concerned about the safety of her students and staff, as well as the mayor's priorities in mandating in-person instruction despite the hazardous weather.

Why it matters

This story highlights the tensions between public health, safety, and education policy during extreme weather events. It raises questions about how school districts should balance the need for in-person learning with the risks posed by dangerous travel conditions, and whether remote learning should be utilized more readily as an emergency measure.

The details

Rabinowitz says that on the day after the blizzard, close to 45% of her students and over 20% of teachers were unable to make it to the school due to the 21 inches of snow on the ground and limited public transportation. This forced staff to combine classes and supervise students, with many having to travel on foot and slip on icy sidewalks. Rabinowitz argues that remote learning, which was set up in every city school, would have been a safer option, as other local institutions like parochial schools and CUNY colleges opted to go remote that day. She says the mayor's cited reason for mandating in-person instruction - that he believed students did not have their devices at home due to the winter break - was "ridiculous" since most students have access to devices, especially in low-income schools like hers.

  • On Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani set travel restrictions and closed city schools due to the historic blizzard.
  • On Tuesday, the mayor and chancellor ordered a regular day of in-person learning despite the treacherous travel conditions.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who ordered schools to remain open despite the blizzard conditions.

Elana Rabinowitz

A New York City public school teacher who is criticizing the mayor's decision to keep schools open during the blizzard.

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What they’re saying

“If private schools and universities are closed due to dangerous conditions, our public schools should follow their example.”

— Elana Rabinowitz, New York City public school teacher (New York Post)

“When safety is at stake, why wouldn't we lean on the side of caution?”

— Elana Rabinowitz, New York City public school teacher (New York Post)

What’s next

The article does not mention any clear next steps, as it is focused on criticizing the mayor's decision to keep schools open during the blizzard.

The takeaway

This story highlights the difficult balance that school districts must strike between providing in-person learning and ensuring the safety of students and staff during extreme weather events. It suggests that remote learning should be more readily utilized as an emergency measure when travel conditions become hazardous.