Schools Close for Burst Pipe, No Heat

Dozens of schools never opened this morning because of the coldest weather in decades but as the day went on a schools joined the list.

Students arrived at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School on Old York Road in North Philadelphia Tuesday morning as temps hovered around 6 degrees only to be turned right back around. Due to low heat at the school the students were sent home shortly after arriving, according to Philadelphia School District spokesman Fernando Gallard.

Students were already told to stay away from Thomas Edison High School in North Philly for the second straight day following a pipe that burst over the weekend that caused water and flooding damage to the building on Luzerne Street. 

Gallard said repairs to both schools continued through the day Tuesday and the district expected the buildings to be ready to open Wednesday morning.

The arctic blast that took over the region overnight has people seeking shelter and trying to spend as little time as possible outside.

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