When school is canceled or delayed due to snow or ice in the Shelton School District, students and some staff members get to stay home. However, many other staff members continue to work behind the scenes to clear sidewalks and parking lots, communicate with families, and ensure that school district operations remain on track.
Before any closure or delay is announced, a team—including the Superintendent, the Director of Transportation, and the Director of Facilities and Maintenance—determines whether local roads are safe enough for travel. A group of Shelton transportation and maintenance staff members assesses the streets throughout the entire district, starting as early as 3:00 a.m. or even the evening before any predicted bad weather.
If there is a closure or delay, Shelton’s communications department alerts families and community members through an automated phone call, email, *text message, website pop-up alert, and posts on Facebook and Instagram. The goal is to notify staff and families by 5:30 a.m., or as soon as possible, regarding any schedule changes. The media is also informed via a program called FlashAlert, which instantly notifies news agencies to quickly share this information.
*Please note, you must opt-in to receive text messages. Opt-in today by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587.*
The work doesn’t stop there. Even when our schools are delayed or closed, our maintenance, custodial, and groundskeeping crews are hard at work preparing the campuses for when students return. They shovel sidewalks and parking lots and apply sand to slippery areas, ensuring that staff and students feel as safe as possible when they step onto campus again. Our food services staff also works quickly to ensure that all students receive breakfast when schools are delayed. Administrative staff—including human resources, payroll, curriculum and instruction, principals, and the superintendent—are also busy performing the behind-the-scenes work that keeps Shelton schools running smoothly.
In some cases, it may be necessary to change our course of action after a decision has been made due to changing weather conditions. If this happens, we may issue additional alerts following the initial communication. We understand the significant impact these decisions can have on families, and we do not take them lightly.
We understand the challenges that winter weather brings to families and appreciate your support and flexibility during these unpredictable days. We look forward to warmer days ahead!
