SCHOOL CANCELLATION — DELAYED OPENING — EARLY DISMISSAL

Due to Inclement Weather or Emergency

TO:  Parents and Students of SAU 50                                                      DATE:  October 13, 2009

FROM:  George A. Cushing, Superintendent of Schools   

ALL POSTINGS CAN BE FOUND ONLINE: www.sau50.org/nps/weather_alerts.html

DELAYED OPENING PROCEDURE: The Greenland, New Castle, Newington and Rye schools will delay morning starting time during inclement weather when it is believed that weather and road conditions will improve.  When the delayed opening is announced on the radio, all SAU 50 schools will begin two hours later than normal.  All bus schedules will run two hours later.  Lunches will be served in those schools with a lunch program.  Schools will be dismissed at the regular time. When Greenland Central School has a two hour delay, there will be no preschool program.   The Community School Childcare will be delayed two hours-opening at 9:30.

Attention Students Attending Portsmouth High School, and Newington Students Attending Portsmouth Middle School: Please note that a delayed opening affects all bus transportation including busing to Portsmouth.  Road conditions in Greenland, New Castle, Newington, and Rye can be different from those encountered in Portsmouth.  In spite of the fact that Portsmouth High School and Portsmouth Middle School may be observing a regular schedule, those SAU 50 students who ride the school buses to Portsmouth will arrive at the school approximately two hours later than normal.  This has been thoroughly discussed with Portsmouth school officials and SAU 50 students will not be penalized under these circumstances.

CANCELLATION PROCEDURE: SAU 50 schools will announce over the radio/TV the cancellation of classes because of inclement weather.  If a delayed opening is called, parents and students should be alert to the fact that school may still be canceled if conditions do not improve.

Initial notification of cancellation or delayed opening will be announced over the radio by 6:30 a.m.  If a delayed opening is in effect and subsequently it is necessary to cancel school for the day, such information will be announced over the radio by 8:30 a.m. When the Greenland Central School has no school there will be no preschool program. Full-time child care will be provided at the Portsmouth Campus (provided they are not cancelled).

WEATHER (or EMERGENCY) RELATED EARLY DISMISSAL PROCEDURE: Weather (or emergency) related early dismissals may occur during the school day.  Parents are requested to make arrangements for children released from school early.  If your child needs to go to a location other than his/her home when dismissed early, you are requested to forward this information to the school principal.  Public announcements will be made prior to dismissal on the radio and television stations below.

THE FOLLOWING RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS WILL CARRY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

                                       Radio Stations                                                           Television Stations

Please cooperate by not calling the schools or the bus contractor for this information since it is critical that the phone lines remain open to allow for communications with staff and public safety officials.