The Superintendent Talks Snow Days

By Eliza Hallabeck

With the recent wintry weather canceling or delaying school several times over the past two weeks, Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson explained how decisions are made to delay or cancel school.

“You have to decide early,” said Dr Robinson, because once the decision is made, faculty, staff, and news media need to be informed by 4:55 am.

On the morning of expected inclement weather, Dr Robinson said she is normally called by 4:15 am by the school district’s Director of Facilities Gino Faiella. He shares an update with Dr Robinson on the town road crews and how the schools’ parking lots are faring.

By 4:25 superintendents from Western Connecticut, roughly 13, Dr Robinson said, hold a conference with the towns’ contracted meteorologist John Bagioni.

“He keeps us informed,” said Dr Robinson. “That way we are not caught by surprise.”

So far there have been four cancellations during the 2010-2011 school year, and one school delay. Due to the school cancellations, the projected last day has been pushed back from June 13 to June 17. By state law the school year cannot continue into July, and Newtown’s practice is to remove days from April break if there are more than 12 snow days in the school year.

“I do pay attention to what happens in Danbury,” said Dr Robinson, regarding the conference call with area superintendents, “because our magnet school is there and Henry Abbott Technical School is there.” 

Finally, by 4:55 Dr Robinson shares the information with school faculty through the district’s ConnectED system. Parents, she said, are no longer notified of school cancellations or delays through phone calls. The announcement is also posted to the school district’s website, www.newtown.k12.ct.us, to notify students and parents.

School cancellations are also posted to The Newtown Bee’s website, Twitter, and Facebook accounts.