Malverne kids get a snow day

In anticipation of the snow storm expected to hit the New York metropolitan region, including Long Island, and blanket the area in 12 to 18 inches of snow, the Malverne school district declared Wednesday, Jan. 12, a snow day.

The district also canceled all after-school activities and transportation for private and parochial school students for that day.

But the storm was less severe than expected this time around. Dumping about 8 or 9 inches — half that of the Dec. 26 blizzard — and stopping by Wednesday morning, the Malverne Department of Public Works had a much easier time clearing the roads, according to DPW head Paul Jessup.

"There was less wind, less snow," Jessup said.

Was it easier this time around?

"Oh God, yes."

With six sanders and snow plows on the roads and a crew of about 21 driving the trucks, shoveling, loading sand and preparing the machines, the DPW took to the streets around midnight on Wednesday. By sunup, the roads were almost completely cleared.

As people shoveled and cleared out their walkways and driveways, kids headed right to the closed schools — to go sledding. They will head back to school as expected on Thursday morning.