As we prepare for the change of seasons into Winter, I am providing you with the snow day protocol we use to notify students, staff, and families in the event that school is delayed or canceled due to inclement weather.
Many factors impact the decision to call a snow day, like: weather forecast, weather conditions, road conditions, and conditions in surrounding towns where employees reside. In New England, we know weather forecasts don’t always match reality. Some storms may fall short of expectations, while others turn out to be more severe, requiring us to adapt quickly.
To ensure road safety, our Facilities Department works with the Departments of Public Works in all three towns, coordinating on road preparations and plowing effectiveness starting as early as 4:30 a.m. on days with anticipated poor weather.
I also stay in close contact with neighboring Superintendents to gauge whether they will announce delays or closures, which could impact our staffing as many employees live in those areas.
My goal is to keep the public informed and make decisions in a timely manner. If the forecast is clear and cancellations are imminent, I will announce a decision by 9:00 p.m. the night before. Otherwise, I will make the call by 5:30 a.m. the next morning. If you don’t receive a notification, please assume school will proceed as scheduled. We will also inform local media outlets by 5:30 a.m.
Deciding on a snow day involves careful judgment based on current conditions. While our priority is to keep students in school, we must also consider travel safety for families and staff. These decisions are not taken lightly, and our focus remains on what’s best for our students and staff as a whole.
Enjoy the beautiful weather while we have it as we know winter will be coming soon. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we navigate winter weather.