No Day Off For NYC Public School Children; Mayor Make Right Call?

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)--Many schools announced they were closing well in advance of the third major snowstorm to slam the Tri-State Area in as many weeks. However, some parents in the five boroughs waited, and waited...and waited for Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Dept. of Education officials to make the call regarding city public schools.

PHOTO GALLERY: User-Submitted Storm Photos | School Closings & Delays

Despite declaring a weather emergency late Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Bloomberg and education officials still did not make a call on public schools.

They finally did. At 5 a.m. Wednesday, the Department of Education announced all city public schools would be open, despite the snowstorm. New York City public schools have only closed 6 times since 1978 for a total of 8 lost educational days.

Several parents expressed anger Tuesday night saying Mayor Bloomberg's late call would leave them scrambling for child care, CBS 2's Demetra Ganias reported.

When asked what she is going to do if she has to work and the kids are home, one parent from Brooklyn said, "I really don't know. I'm stuck, just like the last time." That woman stayed home with the kids during the Dec. 26 storm and she'll do it again, but no faking sick.

After getting what many are calling late notice that public schools would remain open, we'd like to hear from you parents: Do you think the notice was in a timely-enough manner?  Did you have to make arrangements to be on the safe side?

Did you keep your child home anyway?

Share your comments below!