NEW YORK CITY — City schools will open regularly Monday morning as a winter storm continued to drop a mixture of freezing rain and snow on New York, creating a dangerous commute with more bad weather expected throughout the day, officials warned.
After-school programs will also operate normally, but field trips were canceled, the city's Department of Education announced Monday about 6 a.m.
Schools are open today, Monday, February 2, 2015. After school programs will also be open. Field trips will be canceled.
— NYC Public Schools (@NYCSchools) February 2, 2015►SEE THE LATEST WEATHER RADAR FOR THE CITY
City officials, however, also warned that severe weather could make travel dangerous throughout Monday, with freezing rain and sleet for the morning commute.
While some parents were undaunted by the slushy conditions outside, others said the city should've kept kids home.
"It's really not that bad," said Gloria Lee, 35, as she dropped her 7-year-old daughter off at P.S. 19 in the East Village.
"The streets are a little slippery but it's OK. You can manage. The weather's fine. It's really not too bad today."
"The kids are tough enough to handle this," said Ponching Estrera, 40, outside P.S. 19.
"The city made the right choice. It shouldn't be a big deal."
But a few other P.S. 19 parents disagreed.
"Schools should be closed," said Priscilla Wu, 41.
"New Jersey's closed. It's so slippery out. I'm from Staten Island and it's horrible there. It's a little dangerous and it's tough to get kids around."
"The problem is the sidewalks and getting the children to school on the sidewalks," said 40-year-old Jill Collins.
"I really wish they would've paid a little bit more attention to those and the crosswalks. There's slush ankle deep."
The grim weather showed no signs of letting up until Monday night, officials said.
"Freezing rain will transition back to snow by noon Monday, with an additional 1 to 2 inches of snow accumulation expected," the mayor's office said.
"With temperatures falling below freezing Monday evening, any standing water can re-freeze and create dangerous icing conditions for the Monday evening commute," the mayor's office added.
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Alternate-side parking and trash pick up were both suspended though meters will remain in effect, officials said.
But commuters sick of winter did get some good news Monday, which was Groundhog Day. Staten Island Chuck, the borough's groundhog, failed to see his shadow. That means an early spring is on the way.
