Watertown Public Schools

WEATHER RELATED DECISIONS REGARDING THE SCHOOL DAY

Friday, November 18, 2022

Dear Watertown Public Schools Families,             

Now that colder temperatures have arrived, here are a few friendly reminders regarding weather related schedule changes to the regular school day. WPS’ top priority is to ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times. When there is potential for inclement weather, WPS closely monitors weather conditions to provide timely and accurate information to all of our families and staff.

How Weather-Related Decisions are Made

In close collaboration with the Town of Watertown’s local Police, Highway, School Maintenance Departments, and local weather service providers, information is collected and carefully reviewed to inform any decisions to change school schedules. With the priority of ensuring the safety of our students and staff at all times, the following factors are considered:

• Road conditions - bus routes; drivability for cars

• Sidewalk/lot/snow removal status

• Precipitation and visibility

• Temperatures, wind hazards, power outages

• Projected forecasts for the duration of the day

Why Some Districts Have Different Weather Related Decisions

It is important to note that bordering towns to Watertown may sometimes make different weather related decisions. Superintendents in our local region work together to inform one another how their district will move forward during inclement weather situations; however, each town must make a decision based upon the information they have regarding the roads, the buildings, the busses, and even the forecast. In any case, all weather related decisions for the Watertown Public Schools are made specific to Oakville and Watertown. 

Types of Schedule Changes

When collected information indicates that conditions are unsafe for students and staff and it is determined that a change to the school day is necessary, schedules may change as outlined in the chart below:

Two (2) hour delay	Buses will arrive at stops approximately two (2) hours later than the usual time.  Students should not be dropped off at school at their usual time.  Breakfast and lunch are served at all schools.  If your child attends Pre-K, please reference Ms. Meka’s “Snow Letter” from JTPS to determine arrival/departure times.
Three (3) hour delay	Buses will arrive at stops approximately three (3) hours later than the usual time.  Students should not be dropped off at school at their usual time.  Breakfast is only served at Watertown High School Lunch is served at all schools.  AM Pre-School is canceled when there is a three-hour delay.
Early Dismissal	Information about emergency early dismissals is shared via phone, email, and local television stations prior to 11:00 am.  PM Pre-School is canceled when there is an early dismissal.  When there is an early dismissal, all after school sporting events and student activities will be canceled.
Emergency Early Dismissal	In some circumstances, a delay may be upgraded to a school closing if unsafe weather conditions persist. All families will be contacted by phone and notifications will be made on local television stations, generally prior to 11:00 a.m.
School closing	School closures are typically made by 5:15 am the morning of. Bus/Transportation companies, families, and staff will typically receive notification via phone and on local television stations by 5:30 am.  When possible, advance school closure decisions (the prior evening) will be made to provide families as much time to plan for the following day. * However, with the uncertainty of weather forecasts, and the additional factors that must be accounted for – building readiness, bussing, etc. a call in advance is not always possible.

*Building Principals will contact parents of each respective building if there are any adjustments to arrival/dismissal times.

Emergency Contact Information

When we need to communicate a closure (early/emergency dismissal) and schools are already in session, we call the phone numbers listed in your child’s PowerSchool records. 

• Please log into your Powerschool to confirm the phone numbers listed in your child’s account. 

• If you are unsure how to log into your account, please contact your child’s school to check the contact numbers listed in both the “Home” field and all others.  

Communication 

Watertown Public Schools utilizes several tools to communicate information regarding weather-related closings or delays. 

• Phone - After the decision to delay or close school is made, the district sends a call to students’ home numbers and parents’ cell phone numbers. The district also sends a call to all staff. If there is an emergency and school must be dismissed early, the district sends an emergency call to all contact numbers associated with each student and to all staff. (If you are not receiving calls or would like to stop receiving calls, contact your child’s school via phone or email Michael Dalton at (DaltonMi@watertownps.org).

• Email - After the decision to delay or close school is made, the district sends an email to all students and staff. 

• Other - After the decision to delay or close school is made, the district notifies local television stations, shares information on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.), and updates the district website (www.watertownps.org).

It is our goal as a district to provide clear and accurate information consistently throughout the year to minimize disruption as much as possible while always ensuring the safety of our students and staff. Thank you for your continued support of our schools and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out directly to your child’s school.

 Sincerely,

Dr. V