UPDATED: Newton Public Schools Closed Monday, Feb. 11

Updated 6:41 p.m.

Although the snow stopped more than 24 hours ago, the Newton Public Schools will be closed tomorrow as the cleanup continues from this weekend's blizzard.

All schools, including the preschool at the Education Center and Lincoln-Eliot Elementary, will be closed Monday, Feb. 11, according to an email from NPS Coordinator of Communication and Community Engagement Megan Smallidge.

The Education Center will be open Monday.

In an email to Newton Patch, Smallidge clarified that district officials decided to cancel school over concerns about narrow roadways and dangers to pedestrians. The city has several instances of "non-continuous sidewalks" that have snow mounds on the corners, forcing pedestrians to walk into the streets at intersections, the email said. 

Not having school tomorrow will allow the DPW time to get those safety concerns rectified, officials said.

Newton DPW Commissioner Dave Turocy told Newton Patch Sunday evening that crews were out all day Sunday clearing roads and sidewalks. Work will continue through this evening until about 11 p.m., he said, and pick back up Monday morning. 

While crews did clear some crosswalks and school parking lots today, the school cancellation tomorrow will allow DPW workers to finish plowing the school areas before students return, Turocy said.

The Newton Public Schools also closed down Friday in preparation for the storm, which dumped nearly two feet of snow on the Newton area. 

The Newton School Committee is scheduled to meet tomorrow night at 7 p.m. in the Education Center. Newton Patch will update the status of this meeting as soon as the information is available.

In addition to the Newton Public Schools, Mount Alvernia High School and Lasell College will also be closed Monday.

For complete storm coverage, visit the Newton Storm Center.