A snow day tomorrow — yippee

Because of the coming snow storm expected to dump about a foot of snow on much of the region, Philadelphia public schools and Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools within the city limits will be closed tomorrow, officials announced this evening.

The district's administrative and regional offices will be open in the morning, but will close at noon. Early-childhood programs and after-school activities are also canceled. Athletic events will be rescheduled.

"This school closure decision is based on the weather forecast that calls for a heavy snow fall and blizzard conditions during school dismissal time," spokesman Fernando Gallard said in a statement. "These conditions could place students and staff in jeopardy as they travel home during the early rush-hour."

The closure means that district officials must go back to the drawing board for the school calendar.

Today, the School Reform Commission approved a new calendar which adds four days - two from spring break, a professional development day, and one day at the end of the year.

The new days are Monday, March 29 and Tuesday, March 30; Tuesday, May 18, primary election day, which had been set aside for teacher training; and Friday, June 18.

Now, another day will likely be needed.

Chief of staff Tomas Hanna said the district has asked the state Department of Education for a waiver from having to make up all its snow days. That waiver is still pending, he said.