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Dear Oyster River Students, Staff, Parents, Caregivers, and Community Members,
  
The cold weather upon us is a reminder that inclement weather will be soon inevitable. Weather conditions can change quickly in New England, making inclement weather decisions so difficult to make.

My goal is to make all decisions related to delayed starts, school closures, and remote learning no later than 6:00 a.m. I do so after careful review of weather and road conditions, conversations with our Transportation team and superintendents from surrounding areas.

Notifications will be sent in ParentSquare as soon as the decision is made.

When it’s time to make a weather call, there are three options.

1. Delayed starts: We use delayed starts when the weather is predicted to thaw or improve by mid-morning. When school is delayed, we operate on a two-hour delay and morning PEP is cancelled.
2. Snow days: We use snow days for predicted heavy snow events. During a snow day, school is cancelled. All Oyster River schools, and the SAU office will be closed.
3. Remote learning: While we will prepare students and staff for the option to pivot to remote learning, for the first part of winter, we will limit inclement weather decisions to delayed starts and cancellations.

In the event of a delay or cancellation, we will evaluate safety and road conditions for the possibility of conducting after school and evening activities.

Respectfully,
 
Dr. Robert Shaps
Superintendent of Schools