Schools paying attention to forecasts

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)- Local school districts are paying close attention to the forecast ahead of Friday's storm.

Most officials say it's too early to call for a snow day but do say they're closely monitoring the weather.

24,000 students attend Providence public schools. More than 150 buses transport kids to and from school while thousands of others walk to class each day.

"Those students are within our care and are our responsibility. We need to ensure they're going to make it safely to and from school and weather can certainly play a factor in that", said Providence Public School's Christina O'Reilly.

With a least a foot of snow expected to blanket Providence, Eyewitness News wanted to know if school officials were already planning for a snow day. They say it's too early to make that decision.

"We have been talking with the emergency management agency, with public safety and with the department of public works. In this particular case, if the trends continue as they do, we will hopefully have a decision made the evening prior to the snow storm arriving", O'Reilly said.

If classes are canceled in Providence, families will be notified by phone.

So far this year, Providence hasn't had any full snow days. The district did cancel classes for two days due to Hurricane Sandy.