Friday, February 6, 2015

Snow Days & Winter Travel

Thursday morning’s weather conditions presented another challenging school commute for parents and students, and it looks like next week will bring more winter weather our way.   I don’t know about you, but I have had enough!

As we continue to navigate this historic season, please know that the safety of our students is of the utmost importance to me and to the entire MERSD staff.  I work collaboratively with and receive input from our facilities team, local safety personnel, and the Essex and Manchester DPWs when making the determination about closing schools.  I encourage parents to use their judgment and to make decisions that are best for their families when it comes to sending students to school in winter weather.  We will do our best to have schools open, but the ultimate decision on safety belongs to you as the parent. 

With regard to clean-up and road conditions, from the sound of the forecasts, we will be dealing with imperfect conditions for some time to come.  Given the volume of snow out there, we will certainly be dealing with road and walkway conditions that are not perfect.  Mornings have been slow going. Principals are using a flexible start approach to the day and have not marked students tardy.  I encourage parents to remind their students to refrain from climbing on and jumping off of snow banks and to use extra caution when navigating sidewalks and snow banks, which might require them walking in the street.

Here's hoping that the groundhog was wrong and that spring will be here soon!