Weather Information

November 16, 2023                                               

Good Afternoon Region 14 School Community:

I hope you are safe and well. Although the fall weather was spectacular, the winter weather is fast approaching. I would like to update you on the process of cancelling and delaying school due to inclement weather.  Please know that this decision is always made with the safety of students and staff in mind.  The process of making the decision to delay or cancel school is very involved.  If school is delayed because of inclement weather, school will normally be delayed two hours, and in rare instances, may be delayed three hours. If Region 14 cancels school for an extreme weather event, the days will be added to the end of the school year. If there are numerous school days cancelled, the April vacation may be reduced.  

 HOW WE MAKE OUR DECISION

The process to delay or cancel school begins around 4:00 a.m.  The forecast is reviewed and Litchfield County Superintendents dial in to a conference call with a local meteorologist for a technical discussion about the type of precipitation that will be expected.  Information is shared from road crews and a decision is made to delay or cancel school around 5:00 a.m.  If school is delayed or cancelled, a phone message and email will be sent to parents and staff.  You should receive this information at approximately 5:15 a.m. The information is shared through the SwiftReach system and the time you receive the information will vary slightly depending on how long it takes the system to launch the message.  If you need to update your phone number or email address, please contact your child’s school secretary. Information concerning a delay or cancellation will also be broadcast on FOX61, WTNH (News 8), WVIT (NBC 30), and WFSB (Eyewitness News 3).   

 Please review with your child the plan for an early dismissal. Lunch will be provided in the district if there is an early dismissal due to inclement weather.  I have also included an emergency early dismissal schedule as well as a 3-hour delay schedule in the event that inclement weather and/or road conditions necessitate the need for an alternate plan.  Again, in these instances, lunches will be served. 
 

EdAdvance BASES program will follow the same schedule as the school district for cancelled school and early dismissal.  This after school program will remain in session even if Region 14 after school activities are cancelled.  EdAdvance will notify parents regarding this process.

Weather related decisions are taken very seriously.  Every decision is made with student safety in mind.

The safety of the students and staff is our first priority. We understand the challenges parents face when the school day is disrupted. We appreciate your understanding and hope for a mild and gentle winter.

 

Sincerely,

Brian Murphy

Superintendent of Schools