[HMHS News] HSD Winter Preparation and Safety

[Steven Chamberlin]

December 6, 2011

Hello Everyone:

I hope you had a good weekend. As we have moved into December, the  
purpose of this email is to highlight Hopkinton School District winter  
preparation practice and procedures. Let’s hope for a controversial  
free winter!

The School delay and cancellation procedures were reviewed with the  
bus company contract manager and the road agent for the Town of  
Hopkinton.

Important points:
Please make sure youngsters dress warmly. Students should be prepared  
for the unforeseen.
The snow day delay/cancellation process begins at 3:00am. Local road  
conditions, regional weather patterns, and accident report information  
is gathered to make the best decision possible. School districts err  
on the side of caution.
The school cancellation or delay decision will be made by  
approximately 5:30am.
When school is delayed, there is a brief opportunity to convert the  
delay to a cancellation if an unpredictable weather change occurs.  
(This conversion from a delay to a cancellation has happened twice in  
the last 12 years.) The implementation of the automatic call system  
will be used to inform families of this decision.
Practices and other events held on snow days will depend on multiple  
factors (pm weather conditions, time in season, available resources,  
overall school calendar). The decisions will be made collaboratively  
with school staff, district administrators, and local officials.
Weather related tardies are excused by schools.
School cancellation or delay information will be sent via email,  
broadcast through WBZ Radio, WMUR Channel 9, and WZID/WMLL/WFEA.

During the development of the auto call system, parents/guardians  
requested the call system not be used for early morning snow day  
announcements. After the recent test, several parents/guardians  
requested an early morning call from the call system. To 	understand  
the school community’s preference, a one question survey is available  
at the link below. Thank you for your help.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DNTS3X2

At recent Wellness Advisory Committee and Hopkinton Youth Support Team  
meetings, questions arose regarding car seat and bus safety.
Youngsters under six or under 55 inches tall must ride in a federally  
approved safety seat or booster.
Youngsters under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt.
Children under the age of 13 should not ride in the front seat.
There is a 25 foot bubble around school busses. Cars should not  
encroach on the school bus bubble, especially when busses are loading  
or unloading children.
Looking for a different type of exercise this winter, consider the  
Winter Wild Series.

This uphill approach to New Hampshire Mountains has received a  
commendation from NH’s Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and  
Health. There is a school based contest as well. The school with the  
highest percent participation receives $2000. Checkout the link below:

http://www.winterwild.com/

Please feel encouraged to contact me at  
schamberlin at hopkintonschools.org or 746-5186 if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Chamberlin
Superintendent of Schools
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