RI Education Commissioner Discusses District Responses to Blizzard of '26

School districts are debating how to make up for days lost to the historic winter storm.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:18pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of students walking through a snowy school courtyard, with soft, blurred edges and warm, muted colors creating a dreamlike, atmospheric quality.The Blizzard of 2026 forced Rhode Island schools to get creative in making up for lost instructional time, reflecting the challenges districts face in responding to unexpected weather events.Providence Today

After one of Rhode Island's harshest winters in years, school districts across the state are debating ways to handle the days lost to the Blizzard of 2026. Rhode Island Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green discussed the waiver approved by the R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education that allows school districts to shorten the year by two days due to the winter storm, as well as how individual districts like Warwick and Providence are handling make-up days.

Why it matters

The Blizzard of 2026 was a historic winter storm that caused significant disruptions to schools across Rhode Island. How districts respond in terms of making up lost instructional time is crucial for ensuring students don't fall behind academically.

The details

The R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved a waiver allowing school districts to shorten the school year by two days due to the Blizzard of 2026. However, some districts are still choosing to make up the lost time. The Warwick School District is lengthening every school day by 15 minutes starting April 10, while the Providence Public School District is extending its school year by two days, with one being a professional development day.

  • The Blizzard of 2026 occurred during the winter.
  • The R.I. Council on Elementary and Secondary Education approved the waiver allowing districts to shorten the school year.
  • The Warwick School District is lengthening school days starting on April 10, 2026.
  • The Providence Public School District is extending its school year by two days.

The players

Angélica Infante-Green

The Rhode Island Education Commissioner who discussed the district responses to the Blizzard of 2026.

Warwick School District

A Rhode Island school district that is lengthening every school day by 15 minutes to make up for lost time due to the Blizzard of 2026.

Providence Public School District

A Rhode Island school district that is extending its school year by two days, with one being a professional development day, to make up for lost time due to the Blizzard of 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Each district is working it out on an individual basis, pointing out that the Providence Public School District is extending its school year by two days, with one of those being a professional development day.”

— Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island Education Commissioner

The takeaway

The Blizzard of 2026 caused significant disruptions to schools across Rhode Island, and districts are taking a variety of approaches to make up for lost instructional time, including extending school days and the school year. This highlights the challenges schools face in responding to major weather events and the importance of flexibility and individualized solutions.