Living in New Hampshire offers so many rewards and so many charms. As those of us who have called the 'Granite State' our home for any length of time know well, there is much truth in the old addage: "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute."
This truism creates real headaches for school superintendents during the wintertime. Our long, difficult winters and their associated storms can be very hard to forecast accurately. If the storm appears severe enough, superintendents need to make very important decisions regarding school closures, delays or early dismissals. Oftentimes, those decision must be made with limited or unreliable weather information. When the possibility of inclement weather presents itself, they often need to make their 'call' well in advance of achieving any real certainty about what the weather will actually hold. This is because the school district needs to give significant notice to families and school staff about school closure plans when when poor weather is imminent. Our superintendents need to make certain that families have ample time to make necessary arrangements for the care of their children when school is closed.
The uncertainties of the weather and the consequences of making the 'wrong call' make the superintendents uneasy, and the rest of us,too. What we need to remember when these decisions are made is that the underlying reason for the closure decision is to assure the safety of the students; first, last, and always. If a superintendent cannot be certain that the buses will be able to safely make their routes and that students walking are sufficiently visable to motorists (over high snowbanks, etc.), then s/he needs to make the school closure call. Although content in his or her heart that the call was made in the best safety interests of children, they also know how 'the call' can inconvenience families who need to make arrangements to miss work or have a trusted party care for their children so that they can go to work (sometimes incurring a considerable babysitting expense).
Living in New Hampshire is not easy, and long, uncertain winters are the norm. There is excitement in that uncertainty, and prospect of a 'snow day' for the children always seems like a gift -- at least to them!
As the coming weeks of winter unfold and new storms head our way, please remember that school delay, cancellation, or early dismissal decisions are not made lightly, but always with the right thing as the first priority: the safety and well-being of your children.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!
