Cincinnati Public Schools will reopen for normal classes Thursday, Jan. 29, following a three-day closure due to winter weather, and district leaders are asking residents to help clear sidewalks and bus stop areas to make student commutes safer.
The district announced Wednesday afternoon that buildings and transportation routes are now ready for more than 35,000 students and 6,500 staff members to return. But CPS is still concerned about lingering ice and snow across the city, calling on community members to pitch in for the kids.
“We are eager to welcome our students back, and we need the community’s help to make their commute safer,” Superintendent Shauna Murphy said in the statement. “Please, if you are able, clear sidewalks and salt icy patches today and show the whole region that our community is Here For Kids.”
As part of a campaign called “Here For Kids,” CPS is encouraging residents to shovel and salt the full width of public sidewalks, ensure curb ramps and areas near bus stops are passable, and avoid piling snow in ways that block crosswalks or bus loading zones.
Clearing sidewalks and curb ramps is especially important for students who walk to school, rely on public transportation or have mobility challenges, CPS said.
School bus service will operate on normal schedules Thursday, but CPS said minor delays are possible on icy side streets. Maintenance teams have prepared and warmed classrooms, and families are advised to allow extra travel time and bundle up kids for the cold.
CPS is also inviting community members to post photos of their snow-clearing efforts on social media using the hashtag #HereForKids. The district said it may reshare some of the images on its own channels.