PASCACK VALLEY—Emerson school superintendent Brian P. Gatens notes that “Now that December will soon be upon us and we begin to move towards the winter months, school districts begin to watch the weather reports with a close eye. Snow, ice, and sleet can play havoc with school schedules and lead to disrupted school days.”
Gatens wrote families on Nov. 30 to share “general guidelines that we, along with our colleague districts around the Pascack Valley, follow each winter.”
We thought the message was illuminating and useful. In Gatens’ words:
When facing reports of impending snow and/or bad weather, Emerson’s default position will always be to contact the community the morning of school regarding any weather-related change to the school schedule. From time to time, school districts will follow inaccurate, incomplete, or overly-hyped weather reports. As a result, they proceed to cancel school the night before and then wake up to sunny skies.
We will do our best to avoid this from happening. The only exception is when there is a clear indication that an overwhelming storm of force and might is descending upon the region.
It is important for our communities to remember that all school districts make the best decision based on the information available at that time. These are not clear-cut decisions and often information and data are changing up until the morning of a school day.
Often local or state officials will declare a state of emergency and it’s important to note that it is often more of an administrative matter allowing for additional funds to be released than a true emergency situation.
For clarification, it is important to note that such a declaration does not require that schools close. Further, please note that the COVID-era “Virtual Snow Day” option no longer exists for New Jersey’s schools.
Families are asked to monitor the weather and make plans for all eventualities. Emerson will communicate as close as reasonably possible to the start of school.
Our goal is to offer your children access to a consistent and rewarding education, and to do that, we need them to be with us as often as possible. Let’s all hope for a dry winter, weekend storms only, and safe travels for all.
Brian P. Gatens, Emerson superintendent of schools