Long Meadow Elementary School

Christopher Moretti LMES Principal Email: cmoretti@region15.org Tel: 203-758-1144

Snow DAZE

Dear LMES Families,

The weather will always create more than a few interesting challenges for us as a school community.  I think it is safe to say we could very well expect cancellations, delayed openings and/or early dismissals again this season.  All families need to have a plan in place and make sure students know the plan.  I hope the following information is helpful to you in developing your family's plan:

• 90-Minute Delay: School opens at 10:30 a.m.  Students are NOT to be dropped off before 10:10 a.m. as there is NO supervision, and in some instances, doors are not even unlocked.  Morning Kindergarten/Pre-School comes in at 10:30 a.m. and leaves at their regular time.  Afternoon Kindergarten/Pre-School is not affected.  Our main office is staffed after 9:30 a.m.
• Emergency Early Dismissal:  Morning Kindergarten/Pre-School is dismissed at 10:45 a.m.  There is NO afternoon Kindergarten/Pre-School.  The rest of the school dismisses at 1:00 p.m.  All permanent pick-up notes are voided and unless we hear from a parent, or have an emergency dismissal form in the office to the contrary, all students are put on the bus.  Pick-ups occur in the cafeteria at 1:00 p.m. and NOT in the main office.  There is NO BAS.
• No AM Kindergarten/Pre-School:  Occasionally there may be a morning where a 90-Minute Delay is combined with No AM Kindergarten.  If this is the case, then there is also No AM Pre-School as they follow the same schedule.  This is rare, but has happened.  Please check the TV/radio stations carefully.
• Website and Phones:  Our website is as current as possible.  All cancellations, delays and early dismissals appear on the top of the website, are in the news and, in most cases, an AlertNow Message would have been sent out.  I encourage you not to call the school with questions that can easily be answered in our handbook or on our website.  Calling the school ties up phone lines but, more importantly, takes staff away from performing their responsibilities.  On these types of days, we have all hands on deck making sure that children are safe, that they know what to do, are where they need to be, and are not nervous or worried.

All of our lives are busy and chaotic.  Most people work.  Students cannot be at school before the day officially starts or after staff has left for the day.  It is best to know what needs to be done, have a plan in place well before it is needed, and make sure your child (and the school) knows the plan.

"A winning effort begins with preparation."
~Joe Gibbs