From the District: School Open Wednesday, Including Noah Wallace

Update 6 p.m.: 

Dear Noah Wallace Parents and Families,

As outlined in an earlier communication, we are sending Noah Wallace families an update on the status of power restoration at the Noah Wallace school building.  We are pleased to report that power has been restored to Noah Wallace Elementary School.  

In turn, Noah Wallace will be in session on Wednesday, October 31.  EXCL will be open at Noah Wallace at 7:00 a.m.

We are pleased that Noah Wallace students, faculty, and staff will be back to school on Wednesday, October 31.  I want to send a special thank you to the families of Noah Wallace Elementary School.  I know that the uncertainty surrounding the status of school was very difficult and I thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,

Kathy Greider

Original email:

Dear Farmington Parents and Families, 

I hope this communication finds you well. All Farmington schools, except Noah Wallace, will be in session on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. 

EXCL will be open at 7:00 a.m. at East Farms, West District, Union, and West Woods on Wednesday. Noah Wallace families should refer to the information below on the Noah Wallace EXCL program location. 

Here is some important information for Noah Wallace families: 

Currently, Noah Wallace is without power. 

We will communicate with Noah Wallace families this evening or tomorrow morning via e-mail and phone to inform families of our plans for Wednesday. 

If Noah Wallace families do not hear from the school district this evening, we will communicate with Noah Wallace families tomorrow morning. This will allow us to use the most up-to-date information on power restoration when making a decision about the status of school on Wednesday. Once again, the timing of communication will depend on the status of power restoration at Noah Wallace. 

If the status of power at Noah Wallace remains the same, EXCL for Noah Wallace students will take place at West Woods beginning at 7:00 a.m. 

Again, all schools, except Noah Wallace, will be in session and follow a regular schedule on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Noah Wallace families will receive an update this evening or early tomorrow morning on the status of school once we receive additional information from CL&P. 

We will send separate communications out to Noah Wallace families with updates and information tonight or early tomorrow morning on the status of school on Wednesday. A brief Question/Answer document is attached to this communication for Noah Wallace families. 

For those Farmington families that are still without power, please let us know how the school district can support you during this challenging time. We were hoping to open all schools without incident. I thank you for your support and patience over the past few days and as we address the power issue at Noah Wallace Elementary School. We are anxious to welcome our students back to school and return to a normal and predictable routine. 

Sincerely, 

Kathy Greider 

Question and Answer: Noah Wallace School Families 

October 30, 2012 

What is the status of power restoration at Noah Wallace? 

As of Tuesday afternoon, Noah Wallace is the only school in Farmington without power. CL&P is working on power restoration at this time; however, we have not received a definitive timeline for restoration. 

Why can’t Noah Wallace students attend school on Wednesday without power? 

There are times that we lose power temporarily and we have a limited amount of back-up power to allow students to stay in school. In cases of prolonged power outages, schools lack adequate lighting and heat. Other safety issues exist that center upon fire and security notification difficulties. 

Why are we waiting to make a decision on the status of school for Noah Wallace families? 

We are hoping to have the most up-to-date information on the status of power restoration at Noah Wallace prior to making a decision. If power was restored this evening or overnight, we would have school on Wednesday. If it does not occur, we would cancel school for Noah Wallace. Either way, we will alert parents this evening or in the early morning hours on the status of school for Noah Wallace families. 

If power was not restored and school was cancelled, is the school district mandated to make up the school day later in the year? 

By statue, school-aged students are mandated to attend school 180 school days. Farmington attends school 180 days each year. In the case of a school cancellation, we must make up the day. Before we determine a schedule for make-up days, we need time to make the best decision possible. 

If there is no school and my child usually goes to EXCL on school cancellation days where do I bring my child? 

If school is cancelled on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, students who attend EXCL on school closure days would go to West Woods Upper Elementary School on 50 Judson Lane. EXCL will open at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow. 

Why can’t Noah Wallace students go to other schools in the district if power is not restored? 

At this time, we are awaiting communication from CL&P for the timing of power restoration at Noah Wallace. If we experience a prolonged power outage at Noah Wallace, this option as well as others will be explored.