Worcester custodian finally got the chance to announce no-school day. Here's how he did it

WORCESTER – Worcester Public Schools used a bit of humor to alert students there was no school Monday after a storm dumped 15 inches of snow on the city.

City crews needed more time to clear roads and sidewalks, hence the decision to cancel school Monday.

School custodian Jimmy Cash, who is also a standup comedian, was enlisted to share the news. He is featured in a video posted on social media in which he refers to himself as the public school’s “Chief Meteorologist.”

Standing in the middle of snow-covered King Philip Road in the Burncoat section of the city, Cash tells students and staff to make the most of their day off by reading a book, writing a lesson plan or doing some extra homework.

Cash said it has always been his dream to cancel school.

“I finally did it,” Cash said in an interview. “Every kid wants to be the one to cancel school and I got to announce it. But I didn’t get to bask in it because I had to go in.”

Going in meant Cash had his 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. custodian shift at Worcester Arts Magnet School, making sure the school is ready when students return Tuesday.

Cash is nearing 20 years as a custodian in Worcester schools and his eight-year career as a comedian is gaining steam, noting that his standup gigs and other projects are starting to venture outside of New England.

He is also Worcester born and bred, having attended Wawecus Road Elementary and Burncoat Middle and High schools. Then it was on to Quinsigamond Community College, joking that he earned a degree in custodian engineering. His actual degree was in criminal justice.

Cash actually likes working when school is canceled because the building is quiet and he can catch up on unfinished projects.

“I haven't’ enjoyed a snow day in 20 years,” said Cash, meaning his custodial responsibilities mean no time for snowball fights.

As for whether students can expext more video posts in the weeks and months ahead, Cash has more material up his sleeves.

"Always expect more from me. Stay tuned,” adding that after his workday ended Monday, it was off to the gym to pump some iron. Could that mean his pumped up body will be primed for a snowball fastball? Stay tuned.

Principal rapper

In a separate post on X, formerly Twitter, Ishmael Tabales, principal at Union Hill Elementary School, broke into an original rap to remind students that a snow day is the perfect time to read a book.

“Boys and girls listen up,” said a performing Tabales in the video that included a rhyme, standard fare in the rap genre. “You can be anything in this world. An architect, doctor, even an actress. Just like reading, it takes much practice.”

Tabales laughed when asked about his rap and dance moves, performed on what looked like the back deck of his home.

This isn't Tabales’ first video. He has done a number of them through the years to encourage reading, but he thought his video days were over when the COVID pandemic hit.

But students text him whenever a snowstorm or day off is forecasted, imploring him to post a video. So he sits down with his family and writes a quick, entertaining number.

“It’s pretty fun,” he said.

It promises to be fun for the Union Hill students when they’re back Tuesday because for those who took Tabales’ advice and spent the snow day reading, all they have to do is turn in a summary of what they read and they get a prize.

Snickers bars and other goodies are the prizes, as Tabales made the rounds at local stores to make sure he had enough supply. He's eager to see the reading summaries.

As for his next video, Tabales knows he’ll need to have one in the can, ready to go for the next snow day because his students won’t take anything less.

“I have no idea what my next video will be, but I’ll start being creative as soon as we’re off the phone,” he said.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Worcester Public Schools social media posts have fun with snow day