School Closures

School closures and delays are announced via an automated phone call and text to whatever primary number has been provided by families to the schools in our Aspen Parent Portal. Changes to family contact information may be made in the Aspen Parent Portal (Click here for directions).  The announcement of a school delay or cancelation will also be widely published on our website and major local media outlets.  

Delayed Opening

School opening may be delayed by two (2) hours when weather conditions may cause traveling delays.
AM Pre-school sessions will not be conducted when openings are delayed.

* Please do not call the Police, Fire, or School Department officials unless necessary.

Dear Green Wave: 

Snow is obviously great for sledding, skiing, and forts. It also closes schools, delays openings and maybe even causes early dismissals. Although our students are better served by being in school, our top priority is their safety. I know the decision to open or close schools in bad weather has a major impact on families. If it is clear we are going to be the snow “jackpot” as the media calls it, schools can be canceled the night before. If there is a chance, we might be able to have school the next day, the final decision must wait until early in the morning. As much as I hate waiting, it is the most responsible way to make the decision. 

HOW IS THE DECISION MADE? 

The decision to open or close the schools in bad weather is based on any of the available information below: 

• Status of road conditions from the Abington Department of Public Works and Police Department. 

• Careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the district. Even if your street looks clear, travel elsewhere in the district may be dangerous. In addition, we must consider that many high school students drive to school. 

• Amount of snow and ice accumulated. 

• Whether precipitation is continuing. 

• Building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat). 

• Driveway and parking lot conditions. The ability of the Abington Department of Public Works to clear school driveways and parking lots and maintenance and custodial staff members to clear and treat school sidewalks and doorways during storms. 

• Weather predictions. We prefer to not make our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate. However, sometimes this is unavoidable. 

• What other school districts are doing. We also share information with other local districts and check whether they are opening or closing. However, these conditions can vary greatly depending on the town even if they are our next door neighbor. 

WHO MAKES THE DECISION? 

I am responsible for the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations. 

HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED? 

School closures and delays are announced via an automated phone call and text to whatever primary number has been provided by families to the schools in our Aspen Parent Portal. Changes to family contact information may be made in the Aspen Parent Portal (Click here for directions). The announcement of a school delay or cancelation will also be widely published on our website and major local media outlets.  

WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE? 

The decision should be made by 5:30 AM or earlier. If we wait longer to announce a closing, it makes it very difficult for families and school personnel to change their morning routines. I send the messages as soon as possible. 

WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN? 

Please keep in mind that, even if weather conditions worsen, we cannot reverse the decision in the morning without endangering students. Once the decision is made to open schools, many parents rely on that decision and leave for work. If we send students right back home, many will return to unsupervised bus stops and empty homes. Unfortunately, even with the best information available from many sources New England weather can surprise all of us. 

WILL YOU DISMISS EARLY IF A STORM IS UNEXPECTEDLY HEAVY DURING THE SCHOOL DAY? 

Early dismissals are very unlikely, we risk sending students home to empty houses. Families should please have a plan in place in the event it is necessary. Our system uses the same buses to transport all of the grades. This is why our school start and dismissal times are staggered. After one group is transported the buses go and begin another loop. We are not able to call additional buses to release all of the students from all the schools at once. Therefore, conditions may warrant a staggered early dismissal for all of the schools. This will allow the buses with slow driving conditions to get a head start on their first route and hopefully arrive at the elementary schools close to the planned dismissal time. 

WHAT ABOUT BUS TRANSPORTATION DURING STORMS? 

Waiting at home for a child to arrive when the bus is late can be nerve wracking, especially during a storm. Road and traffic conditions will slow the travel. Please remember that your child is actually safest on the bus, due to its size, as it slowly moves through town in a storm. This slowdown can get compounded as the buses complete their loops from grade to grade. If a loop requires 10 extra minutes in order to deliver students safely, the buses arrive to begin the next loop 10 minutes late. If next loop takes 10 extra minutes, the bus is now 20 minutes late. 

WHAT ABOUT SIDEWALKS AND GETTING TO BUS STOPS? 

The Department of Public Works clears the major sidewalks as soon as they can. The town relies on property owners and citizens to clear their own walkways in most of the town. Families need to please be aware that unfavorable sidewalk conditions can occur during and after a snowstorm. Even if sidewalks have been cleaned, citizens clearing their driveways and walkways can cause sidewalks to be blocked. Melting and re-freezing of snow can also create an icing situation. Families should always be aware of the conditions of their child's walk to school or the bus stop and act accordingly. Most Importantly, if you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, use your best judgment on whether they should attend. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives if weather conditions worsen. I hope this explanation helps everyone understand the process used to make the best possible decision for our students. 

Dr. Moschella, Superintendent of Schools