Did you see Superintendent Victoria McLaren’s message about Winter Weather Procedures that was posted on ParentSquare? Here it is again! 

 

Dear Onteora Families,

 

With winter weather on the way, I want to share how we make decisions about delays, early dismissals, and school closures.

 

Whenever it is safe to do so, we will bring students to school. This ensures they can receive instruction, school meals, and the services they depend on. There may be times when we choose to dismiss early so that buses can bring students home before an afternoon or evening storm moves in. I know schedule changes can be challenging for families, and I appreciate your understanding. Our goal is always to keep students safe while still providing them with as much access to school as possible.

 

When the forecast looks concerning, our Director of Transportation begins checking road conditions well before any decision is made. He is in communication with highway departments across the district and uses multiple weather sources and radar data before making a recommendation to me. Please know that I will always err on the side of caution when making the final decision.

 

As we enter the winter season, please make sure you are signed up to receive notifications of delays, closures, and early dismissals through our automated messaging system. If you need to update your contact information or confirm how you receive messages, please reach out to Sharon Wood at swood@onteora.k12.ny.us.

 

A quick reminder: we will be using our allotted snow days this year and will not shift to remote learning during weather closures. Many families in our district do not have reliable internet access, and storms often lead to power outages. If we use more than our allotted snow days, we will follow the “snow day make-up days” listed on our school calendar. This information will also be posted shortly.

 

Thank you for your partnership and patience as we navigate the winter months. Student safety and well-being will continue to guide every decision we make.

 

Warmly,

Victoria McLaren, Superintendent of Schools