The Ashland Superintendent of Schools, Jim Adams, in an email to parents explained his process for handling snow days, delayed openings and early dismissals. He explained that “every decision made is done so with keeping our students, faculty and staff’s safety as the primary component. This being said, the decision to cancel, delay or dismiss, is very much a collaborative effort.”
“When snow or poor weather is forecast, I will communicate directly Doug Shaw, our Director of Public Works; Chief Davis of the APD [Ashland Police Department]; Chief Boothby of the AFD [Ashland Fire Department]; Ms. Pat Whitney, Facilities Director of Ashland Public Schools; and Ms. Dona Walsh from Connolly Bus, Adams said. “In addition, many discussions occur with superintendents from surrounding towns. We will not always get it right (nor do the forecasters), so in any situation, if you feel your child is not going to be safe, please exercise parental discretion to keep them home. I know I would with my own children.
“Generally we will make a determination by 5 a.m., as school busses need to be canceled, parents need to find child care, and television channels need to be contacted. I encourage families to always have a back-up plan in mind, especially with early dismissal.”
Some online services to check for school closings:
www.wcvb.com/weather/closings
www.whdh.com/category/271838/weather-closings-delays
http://boston.cbslocal.com/closings/
www.myfoxboston.com/weather/schoolclosings
Follow Adams on Twitter @AshlandClockers.
Issue Date:
January, 2017
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