Letter from the Superintendent Concerning Snow Closings and Delays

Dear NECSD Families,

As inclement weather is forecasted for later this week, I thought the reminders below may be helpful to students and their families. We know that delays and closings can be inconvenient for families, however, the safety of our scholars and their families is our top priority. 

Emergency Closing, Delay, and Dismissal Information
The following information is to assist you during the year during inclement weather. Just around the corner we will be experiencing the kind of weather that will result in a school closing, delay, or early dismissal. 

Communication
School closings, delayed openings and early dismissals resulting from weather conditions or other situations will be provided to the media (including local radio stations) and posted on Newburgh's website and social media sites:

• www.newburghschools.org 
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram 

Additionally, a robocall is sent out. General announcements are sent to numbers listed as “primary” only. Emergency school closing alerts are sent to every number listed for each scholar. If you do not receive general or emergency messages, please contact registration@necsd.net to update your information.

Decision-making Factors
There are many different factors that are considered when making the decision. During the night, when a storm is in the weather forecast, our transportation staff:       

• continuously monitors the weather from the National Weather Service paying close attention to the forecasted duration of the storm as well as the severity
• monitors road conditions reported by the N.Y.S. Department of Transportation as well as local town and county transportation departments
• drives the roads throughout the district paying close attention to neighborhood roads, reduced visibility of bus stops as a result of snow banks, etc.
• works in cooperation with our buildings and grounds staff to ensure that we can have school parking lots and sidewalks plowed in time
• communicates with surrounding schools to understand weather conditions and the impact on those districts
• makes recommendations to the Superintendent who typically makes the decision by 5 a.m.

Delayed openings
Delayed openings mean all schedules will be delayed by either one or two hours. Bus pickups will be approximately one or two hours later than the scheduled time. Although, not as common, we may even call for a three hour delay. 

Please continue to monitor all opening delays, as they could turn into school closings, depending on the weather. 

Early dismissal
When the weather becomes severe during the day and driving conditions become unsafe, or when a state of emergency due to road conditions is declared by the state or county law enforcement, the district may consider early dismissal.  Early dismissal decisions take into consideration the magnitude of the transportation operations and the number of buses required to transport students home and, in many instances, the possibility that young students may be going home to an empty house.  Typically, the decision is made by mid-morning for an early afternoon dismissal. When an early dismissal is being considered, typically after school activities are cancelled. Stay tuned to news about early dismissals through the methods discussed above. The typical early dismissal schedule can be found here.

After School and Evening Activity Cancellations
The decision to cancel after-school and evening activities is typically made by noon and publicized using the methods described above.

Thank you,
Dr. Roberto Padilla, Superintendent of Schools

ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!