SNOW DAY CLOSINGS, DELAYS AND EARLY DISMISSALDUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER

Our primary goal in Hampden Charter School of Science is to ensure that our students are safe. We want to share some information regarding our school system’s inclement weather procedures and how they apply to the families whose children ride the bus to school. During the winter months, conditions may make it necessary to close schools. School policy, in general, is not to close the school unless weather and road conditions are such that the possible hazards to the children’s safety outweigh the educational value of school. When conditions are too dangerous for buses to be on the roads, schools will be closed. Hampden Charter School of Science adheres to closing judgments made by the HCSS administration.

1)   We use a snow day phone announcement system to inform the school community about school closings (before 6:00 a.m.). If you do not answer the call, the announcement system will leave you a message. Please be sure to let us know if your phone number changes so we can keep our list as up to date as possible.

2)   We will list closings or delay openings  on our website and social media at www.hampdencharter.org ,

Facebook (www.facebook.com/hampdencharter), and Twitter(www.twitter.com/hampdencharter)

3)   We report school closings or delay openings to the following TV stations:

    TV Channel 40: http://www.westernmassnews.com/

    TV Channel 22: http://wwlp.com/

DELAYED OPENING

1 HOUR DELAY

Hampden Charter School of Science may decide to open with one-hour delay due to inclement weather. When this occurs, all buses will pick students up one hour after regularly scheduled time.

    Breakfast will be served from 8:20 am to 8:43 am.

    Classes will resume at 8:45 am.

2 HOUR DELAY

Hampden Charter School of Science may decide to open with two hours delay due to inclement weather. When this occurs, all buses will pick students up two hours after regularly scheduled time.

    Breakfast will be served between 9:20 am to 9:43 am.

    Classes will resume at 9:45 am.

EARLY DISMISSAL

Although early dismissals are avoided whenever possible, Hampden Charter School of Science may decide to dismiss children early because of deteriorating weather conditions. Families should have an emergency back-up plan in place in the event of a weather-related delayed opening or early dismissal.

It is important that we have your most current contact information, including a phone number for our calling system. Please take the time to update that information with the school if needed.

Thank you for helping us as we work to keep all of our students safe.

Sincerely,

Tarkan Topcuoglu

Chief Education Officer