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BACK to Grapevine HOME | Shen HOME EMERGENCY DAYS - Snow, Heat, Cold
Posted on June 11, 2008 Is it true that Shenendehowa does not close the school because they will not receive state aid?
No. State aid is not calculated that way. Cold
Posted on January 23, 2009 Does Shen ever close schools due to the temperature outside? (10 degrees, 0 degrees, below zero, etc.?)
It is extremely rare that schools close due to temperature. When it has occurred it has been more a result of the buses not starting. During cold periods we are very mindful about the timeliness of school buses, and the avoidance of outside activities. Heat
Posted on June 10, 2008 Why is Shen NOT closing early due to the heat today (Tues) like all the other surrounding schools? Also, why are some schools such as Chango still going out for recess when Skano is not and the heat index is over 100 degrees?
When there is a heat index warning, staff is informed to be mindful of this as students go outside for physical education, recess, class activities or for team practice. Indoor options for physical education and recess are recommended. If students go outside, it is recommended that they are provided with frequent rests and water breaks to ensure that they stay appropriately hydrated. School closing occurs when weather impacts our ability to safely transport students to and from school or there are major system failures (i.e. water, electricity, plumbing).
Posted on July 9, 2008 Why have I not received a response to my question about school policy concerning gym and the heat? My daughter was playing tennis when it was approximately 95 degrees out. She felt sick the rest of the day. What is the school policy?
There is no formal board of education policy with regards to physical education in hot weather.
Snow
Posted on March 10, 2011 Has the district thought about better utilizing snow days? Instead of spending the day staring at the television my child could have been encouraged to do some extra school work. Not only that but the teacher didn't even give homework the night before because they expected the school to be closed the next day. How about offering voluntary assignments instead. Maybe sending out an e-mail with suggestions, etc.
For every person who thinks we should provide more homework there are people who think we should provide less. A snow day is the perfect opportunity to encourage your child to read a book.
Posted on February 1, 2011 How many snow days are available to Shen by the State of New York? The state does not determine snow days directly. The state requires 180 days of instruction. School districts determine the school year calendar. The number of built in snow days varies from year to year depending on how late labor day is and other factors. This year there are five snow days built into the calendar.
Posted on February 1, 2011 If we use more than the allotted days, how are they made up? There are a few options including adding days to the end of the year and holding school during April break. The district does not start talking about that until the beginning of April.
Posted on January 23, 2009 Does it save the district money when we have a snow day such as gas, electric etc...
There is some savings in transportation costs for bus fuel, etc. However, the contractual obligations still exist in terms of compensation. Unfortunately, most of what is saved is reduced by the additional cost of contending with the snow (snow removal, sanding/salting, etc.)
Posted on January 23, 2009 I see the schools are always snow plowed hours right after it snows and are always in great condition. I was recently told that's because the town helps plow them. If this is true then why are the schools always 100% clear when the town roads are almost never touched when we have to leave for school or work? It doesn’t make sense that the schools gets plowed first when no one can get there because of the roads.
This is not true. Shen grounds and maintenance personnel are responsible for snow removal and we agree they do a fantastic job. Snow removal of district properties is a priority to assure accessibility especially if we are called upon to support emergency needs like when the Red Cross used our middle school as a shelter during the ice storm. You would need to contact your local highway department with concerns related to municipal roadways.
Posted on December 19, 2008 How come Shen cannot make up its mind about school delays, snow days, or even going home early while all other schools post their information usually the night before, I understand that Shen is a big district but I believe that Shen must/should be able to post their information the night before.
We don't make decisions based on a forecast from the night before because weather services have been wrong.
Posted on February 1, 2008 How do you determine when to call a snow day?
Typically, we do not close school based on a weather forecast. Here is what happens throughout the night any time a storm is in the weather forecast. Our transportation staff:
The same process is used in the event it becomes necessary to dismiss early. That decision is typically made by 10:30 a.m. The decision to after-school and evening activities is typically made by noon.
Posted on February 4, 2008 Does it count as one of the district's emergency days when kindergarten is cancelled?
The district sometimes makes the decision to cancel kindergarten because, in the event we needed to dismiss early as a result of the weather, it is more difficult to do so with kindergarten students. The state does not count it as one of the district's emergency days because kindergarten is not a mandated program.
Posted on February 4, 2008 Why are seniors who have to drive put in danger because you refused to call a snow day?
No one has to drive to school. The district provides transportation for all of its students. In the event a storm is in the forecast, students who are uncomfortable driving should plan to take the school bus.
Posted on February 1, 2008 If we don't use any of our snow days, do we get the # of days off that we did not use or do we get only 1 day off?
Collective bargaining agreements have language that addresses the calendar including the use of emergency days. The contract does stipulate that we provide additional days off for some but not all unused days. That decision is typically made and announced just before or after the spring recess.
Posted on February 29, 2008 When there is a one- to two-hour delay for the district due to weather conditions are faculty and staff required to report on time?
Posted on February 6, 2008 When the district makes the decision to cancel classes in a snow event, why does the cleaning staff have risk to come to work?
New York State Department of Education requires 180 days of instruction per year allowing for a number of emergency days that varies depending on when Labor Day falls. This is to ensure student safety and/or allow for unanticipated facility issues, etc. The fact that some staff members report and others do not when an emergency day is used is a result of collective bargaining agreements.
Posted on December 9, 2009 If it is unsafe for a bus to travel ten minutes to school, due to inclement weather, how is it safer for a bus to travel three HOURS for a field trip, during the same weather? I am outraged that the district would send a field trip to NYC, when it has cancelled school.
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