Because of the states of emergency, schools across Western New York are closed for the next month.

It's affecting tens of thousands of students and their parents who are now left scrambling for childcare and meals.

More than 30,000 students within the Buffalo Public School system alone woke up with no classroom to go to Monday morning. Schools were closed Monday for teacher prep — and while prep continues — students will not return to the classroom on Tuesday.

"I do not want to wait another day for any infection of any student or any staff at any school site or non-school site in Buffalo," said Superintendent Dr. Kriner Cash.

Dr. Cash says it was a tough decision to make, but it was made in the name of safety.

"Business is not as usual at all, this is going to affect everything," Dr. Cash said.

Cash knows the strain this will take on families. So, while teachers take the next few days to make lesson plans for distance learning, menus are being created and logistics set in place to feed students.

"We estimate about 40 to 50,000 meals will be provided daily. We are hoping to have that ready as early as Tuesday," said Dr. Cash.

That number is much higher than the student count. Dr. Cash says he wants to make sure charter and private school students who need food are fed as well.

Breakfast and lunch will be available at the 21 community schools, plus seven others from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. All meals are "grab and go."

"If that is not possible, there are many churches who have offered vans so they can further pick up these lunches and breakfast," Dr. Cash said.

Another option may be getting food dropped off via bus routes. 

When it comes to childcare...

"We may keep community schools open to an extent for childcare. We are looking to see if other parts of the community can help, like churches," said Dr. Cash.

Much like the saying, "it takes a village to raise a child," Cash says this is the time it will take a village to get through the pandemic.

"There has to be a team effort on this."

As for lesson plans, Cash says they are looking at adding hot spots and making sure students have their hands on the technology needed to learn. All of this is still being sorted out — and more details will come soon.

As far as other school districts — the full list of closures can be found here.

For lesson and meal plans, superintendents are asking families to keep checking district websites for updated information.