New York City schools will be open despite the brutal storm, business and technology news website Business Insider reported.

“Due to anticipated inclement weather conditions, all school field trips will be cancelled tomorrow. Schools will be open,” New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina was quoted as saying.

“Many of our kids don’t get a hot lunch and, in many cases breakfast, unless they go to school. So it’s still a parent’s decision whether they send their kids to school or not,” Farina said. “My decision is where the kids are safest and the most taken care of, and the answer to that is in schools,” she added.

New York City has a history of actively trying to avoid closing schools, despite criticism.

There have been just six city school closings due to snow over the past 13 years, most recently in January 2011.

By Lee Shin-young, Intern reporter (sylee@heraldcorp.com)