CHELMSFORD, MA — During a normal year, news of a snowstorm heading for Chelmsford would bring the prospect that school could be canceled. But with online learning amid the coronavirus pandemic, that prospect has dimmed somewhat.
This year, the state is allowing school districts to pivot to virtual learning instead of canceling in-person class amid winter weather. Superintendent Jay Lang said such a shift to online school will be Chelmsford’s game plan should weather conditions be too unfavorable to ask teachers and students to make the drive to schools.
The state modified this school year to a required 170 days instead of the typical 180 because of the pandemic, and do not need to be added to the calendar in June, he said.
Should the weather be too bad for in-person attendance at school, Lang said he will make an announcement to shift to online learning.
“The main variable that may allow/disallow for this to occur is electricity,” Lang said in a message to families. “Many times, I must cancel school due to a loss of power and/or power lines being down making travel to and from school unsafe.”
So, a school cancellation is not entirely out of the question he said.
Should Chelmsford have a strong storm that knocks out power throughout the region – he might have to declare a snow day with no remote instruction.
“It makes sense to have the ability to call a remote day an option, however it is not a given and students and staff must plan and prepare accordingly in advance for such a possibility,” he said.
And because the district has truncated school days already, “delays” or “early dismissals” won’t happen this winter.
“It is simply not worthwhile to have students and staff report to school late or leave early given inclement weather conditions with an already reduced school day,” he said.
Lang said when the weather forecast, road conditions or other emergencies merit, expect a regular in-person school day, or remote learning day.
The superintendent asked teachers and students to bring home materials daily, and especially before weekends and school vacation weeks in the event there’s an unexpected winter event that means he has to make the call to switch to remote class.
The superintendent consults with Chelmsford’s public works and public safety officials to determine whether to call an online day or a snow day. Road, parking lot and parking ban conditions factor into whether he decides if school can safely open.
Once he makes the call, he’ll get the news out by having it posted to the district website, social media accounts, and by automated phone calls and emails to families and staff.
This article originally appeared on the Chelmsford Patch
