By The Tablet Staff

As a forecast of as much as 5-to-8 inches of snowfall was predicted for the New York City area for Tuesday, Feb. 13, Catholic schools and academies in the Diocese of Brooklyn were directed to pivot to remote learning, diocesan officials announced Monday.

Deacon Kevin McCormack, superintendent of schools for the diocese, made the announcement in a letter issued to principals of all diocesan schools in the wake of a similar decision made by the Mayor’s Office, issued through the New York City Department of Education.

“Dear Principals, the NYC DOE has notified us that all their schools will pivot to remote learning tomorrow due to the predicted weather forecast,” the letter from Deacon McCormack read. “As per the administrative manual in regard to inclement weather closures, when the NYC DOE closes and/or pivots to remote learning due to inclement weather, all of our schools follow the same response.

“All of our schools from 3k to grade 8 will pivot to remote learning tomorrow, Feb. 13, due to the predicted weather forecast,” Deacon McCormack’s letter continued. “Please make all the necessary notifications to the parents.”

City officials said they were “expecting winter weather overnight which could lead to 5-8 inches of snow with locally higher amounts by the morning.” A winter storm watch is in effect from the early morning Tuesday until the evening commute, with 40 mph winds expected.