Westfield schools to plow through with remote learning
SOUTHWICK – Unlike some surrounding communities, Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional Schools will continue to have snow days this school year.
Superintendent Jennifer C. Willard sent a letter to families Oct. 29 stating that the snow day policy has not changed due to COVID-19.
“This year, many school districts are changing from a typical ‘snow day’ to a remote learning day for all students,” Willard stated in the letter. “Due to a delay in our technology order, we will continue with the typical ‘snow day’ as in the past. If the school district closes, it will be a cancelled day of school and will be made up in June. If this practice changes, we will alert you.”
Westfield Public Schools Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski announced Wednesday that Westfield would not have snow days this school year.
“Westfield Public Schools has established, with the approval from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, that for the 2020-2021 school year only, if there are days when our schools must close because of inclement weather, all students will participate in remote learning,” Czaporowski wrote to families.
He said during those remote learning days attendance will be taken. Exceptions will be made if a storm results in significant power outages.
“If we do not have storms where power is lost, our last day of school will be June 15,” stated Czaporowski.
Both superintendents addressed transportation and school delays due to weather.
“It is important to review the procedures for bus transportation for our students for the approaching winter season,” Willard stated. “When there is inclement weather, District Administrators, Town Officials and the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative discuss the safety of buses taking students to school. If it is determined that buses are unable to travel safely, schools will be closed for that day or delayed for two hours if road conditions are anticipated to improve.”
Willard said delayed openings are used only if they allow enough time to prepare the roads for safe transportation.
Southwick regional district two-hour delayed opening is as follows: Southwick Regional School starts at 9:35 a.m.; Powder Mill School starts at 10:15 a.m.; Woodland School starts at 11 a.m.; Preschool morning session will be cancelled and afternoon session starts at 12:30 p.m. School will be dismissed at the regular time at all schools.
“If a parent or guardian decides that a child cannot travel to school safely due to weather conditions, the child may remain at home,” Willard told families. “Please provide the school with a written note when the child returns to school.”
In Westfield, if there is a two-hour delay, hours are as follows:
Westfield High School starts at 9:20 a.m.; Westfield Technical Academy starts at 9:20 a.m.; Westfield Intermediate School starts at 10 a.m.; Westfield Middle School starts at 10 a.m. elementary schools start at 11:15 a.m.; Fort Meadow morning session is cancelled with no changes to the afternoon session; St. Mary’s Parish Schools start at 10 a.m.
