Once again we are facing the time of year when New England weather can be unpredictable and severe. School superintendents must ensure that each district meets the state mandated number of school days in a safe and secure manner.
The Orange and Amity school districts will continue to participate in a regional, school transportation collaborative. This arrangement allows our elementary schools to dismiss at similar times and the Orange Middle School to open and dismiss in coordination with Amity Regional High School.
Thus, the regional schools will work together to close, delay the opening of school, or dismiss early due to inclement weather. A delayed opening for elementary, middle, and high school will be two (2) hours. We will try to make the decision to close or delay the opening of school by 5:30 a.m., based upon existing road conditions and what is predicted for the next two to twelve hours. When a delay is announced, please stay tuned since a delay might turn into a cancellation if weather conditions do not improve. Radio, television, school bus operators, staff and designated Internet-based sites will be notified immediately.
Although early dismissals are avoided whenever possible, occasionally it may be necessary to dismiss school early due to the deterioration of weather conditions. In these situations, an announcement will be issued by 10:30 a.m. On days when the weather may be problematic, please stay tuned to the local radio and/or television channel to be alerted to an early dismissal. Weather-related early dismissal for middle school and high school students will be at 11:45 a.m. Orange elementary school students will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m., and the Orange kindergarten will be dismissed at 11:00 a.m.
Families should have an emergency back-up plan in the event of an early dismissal. Because the schools cannot process last minute arrangements, please make sure your children understand where they should go in the event of an early dismissal from school.
When school is cancelled or dismissed early, unless otherwise indicated, all activities and meetings are also cancelled. The school buildings will be closed.
The decision to delay, close school, or dismiss early is often a difficult one. During inclement weather when an administrative decision to open school has been made, this does not preclude a family’s choice to keep their student(s) home. Families should exercise their own judgment in such cases.
facebook 
twitter 
email