School was canceled for students in Wayland, Holliston and an elementary school in Walpole Thursday - even for remote learners - due to power outages caused by Wednesday's storms.
In Wayland, one of the communities hit hardest by the storm, more than 30% of home were without power Thursday morning, forcing officials to shut down schools for the day.
“We had hoped to conduct school remotely but because so many of our students will not have power," Wayland Superintendent Arthur Unobskey said. "We will need to cancel classes for Thursday, Oct. 8.”
Trees were knocked down all across the town, causing transportation problems. Routes 27 and 126, as well as Old Connecticut Path, were blocked by trees. Eversource was working Thursday to restore power.
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Power likely won't turn back on until Thursday evening, according to Unobskey. Teachers and students should not report to school buildings Thursday, Unobskey said. Several of the buildings are without electricity and a tree came down near the middle school.
Wayland Public Schools are operating under a phased hybrid model, with most K-12 students learning remotely until later this month.
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A similar step was taken at the Fisher School in Walpole, where both in-person and online classes are canceled today. All other school in the district are operating on a normal schedule.
Holliston Public Schools are also canceling online class Thursday, according to Interim Superintendent Susan Kustka, amid power outages. Roads are blocked with trees and downed wires throughout the town.
"We are hoping power might be back overnight, but I am hearing that roads are not cleared and power has not been restored," Kustka wrote in a statement.
