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Information Regarding School Closings 

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Michael R. Nast
Interim Superintendent of Schools

March 19, 2010

Dear Parents,

I want to share with you my response to the questions I have been asked regarding why school is closed today, Friday March 19, 2010.

The number one reason and prime consideration is the safety of all students.

The questions I have been asked are:

Q. What is the process you used in deciding if school should be canceled?
A. Collection of information regarding the status of wires down, tree removal, debris in the streets and ability of the school buses to pick up children. On Thursday I had discussions with

  • Mayor Moccia (on-going throughout the day)
  • Hal Alvord, Director of Public Works
  • Mark Gorian, NPS Director of Facilities
  • Superintendents in Stamford and New Canaan
  • Harry Rilling, police chief
  • Dennis McCarthy, fire chief
  • CL&P representative, Walter Szymanski
  • Glenn Iannaccone, Board of Education chairman
  • Johanna Garcia, Transportation coordinator
  • First Student bus drivers
  • Assistant Superintendent Tony Daddona
  • Chief Operating Officer Dan Cook

Q. Who makes the final call?
A. The interim Superintendent of Schools

Q. Why was there a delay in the decision?
A. The decision was made at approximately 6:45 p.m. Between 5:00 and 6:30 the Fire Department was doing onsite review of various locations identified by the Transportation Department as being unsafe. Their report was received at about 6:45 p.m. indicating that the identified streets were still not passable. Conversations with CL&P representatives at 6:30 p.m. indicated that there were 75 troubling areas where wires could be live which could be potentially unsafe for children, especially for those that walk to school.

Q. Do these days have to be made up?
A. The state requires that students attend school 180 days, however, an appeal can and will be made to the Commissioner of Education.

Q. Will the students have their April vacation?
A. Yes. If days have to be made up it will be in June.

Q. What are the make up dates for CMT Science tests for grades 5 & 8
A. Students will take this test on Tuesday, March 23.

With the approval of the Board of Education, Friday March 26, 2010 will be a school day for students. It is currently scheduled as a Professional Development day for teachers; however, under the circumstances it is more important to have the students in school. Elementary conference days will be extended April 5-9.

Sincerely,
The signature of Michael Nast
Michael R. Nast
MRN:bas

 

STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION --The Norwalk Board of Education is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, and it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, marital status, civil union, military or veteran status, national origin, sex, ancestry, sexual orientation, or past or present physical or mental disability in any of its education programs, activities, or employment policies. All educational programs and offerings, including vocational education and extracurricular activities, subscribe to this policy.

Any links to non Norwalk Public School District information are provided as a courtesy. They are not intended to constitute an endorsement of the linked materials by the Norwalk Public Schools, the Superintendent of Schools, or Board of Education.