January 22, 2026
Dear Families,
Forecasts call for heavy snow this Sunday. Depending on how much snow falls, our city might declare a remote day for Monday. Here is what you need to know.
No More Snow Days
Many of us grew up when school would be canceled if lots of snow fell. Since the pandemic, most school systems have remote learning days instead of snow days.
Public schools must have at least 180 school days per year. Recently, New York City began honoring more holidays (e.g., Lunar New Year, Diwali). The tradeoff is that we never cancel school due to weather. We can still reach 180 days of school with remote learning.
Where to Log On
If school is canceled due to weather, your child’s teacher will email a link to their remote classroom. You will have the link before 8:30 on remote school days.
Teachers also will share this link with each students @cpe1.nyc email address.
Student Accounts
Every student has a school-based email address. (If your child is new to CPE1 this year, please check your email. On Thursday afternoon at 5:00, I emailed you your child’s email address and password.)
Help with Passwords
Stephanie Rivera is CPE1’s technology specialist.
If you do not know your child’s school email address, or if you need to reset the password, please reach out to Stephanie (stephanie@cpe1.nyc, 917.725.0342).
If Your Child Needs a Device
CPE1 has a limited number of laptops and tablets available for students who need to log in for remote work. These city-issued devices are for school purposes only, and must be returned by the end of the school year.
If your child needs a device to log on remotely, please reach out to Stephanie (stephanie@cpe1.nyc, 917.725.0342). If you do not have WiFi, please let us know.
Attendance on Remote Days
Public schools take attendance for remote learning. To be marked present, our students must respond to assignments or upload work in their online classrooms. This must be done by 2:45.
Returning to School
No matter how much snow falls, children will return to school yard again before the snow melts. Please be sure your child comes all week dressed for snow, including boots and snowpants. Remote days instead of snow days may be new this decade; snow angels and snow forts are timeless.
Fire Alarm Thursday
On Thursday morning, we briefly evacuated our school building. This was not a scheduled fire drill.
A streak of grease in one of our classroom ovens began to smoke while the class was baking muffins. When we opened the door to let clear the air and clean the oven, smoke detectors set off the fire alarm.
Students moved quickly outside. They stayed out without coats for about three minutes, until we got the all-clear to return.
We wouldn’t plan evacuation practice in wintry weather. Nonetheless, it was good to see how well the alarms worked, and how well our students responded.