School and town officials monitor weather conditions and road conditions. If conditions are severe enough to threaten the safety of students traveling to and from school, a decision is made to close school or delay opening.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Automated Message

Automated messaging will be used to notify families via phone and/or email regarding changes in school schedule (snow day, delayed opening, early dismissal). It may also be used to announce upcoming events and school activities. The recipients of the messages are based on the emergency contact information collected at the beginning of the school year. Please notify the school office if the recipient of the message is incorrect.

Website

• The Barnstable Public Schools website will display the announcement on all pages of the website. 

Social Media

• Facebook
• Instagram

Radio

• WCOD 106.1 FM
• WQRC 99.9 FM
• WOCN 104.7 FM
• WMVY 88.7 FM
• WXTK 95.1 FM

Television

• WBZ Channel 4
• WCVB Channel 5
• NECN Channel 11
• WHDH Channel 7
• WFXT Channel 25
• Barnstable Comcast Channel 22 (B2BTV)

School Closed – All schools will be closed for the day. Students and staff are to remain home.  Emergency personnel will report to work. All morning, afternoon, and evening school activities are also canceled.

Delayed Opening – Delaying schools opening will depend on weather conditions. Generally, schools will open either one or two hours later. All school and bus times will be one or two hours later than the regular starting time. Schools will end at normal times. Enoch Cobb Early Learning morning session will be canceled. Before school care will be canceled. Students are not to be on school grounds until ten minutes before school begins.

Early Dismissal – There are no set times for early closure. This will depend on weather conditions. Generally, schools are closed either one or two hours early. Buses should arrive at their destination up to twenty to thirty minutes late because buses must complete high school and middle school runs, often with difficult road conditions. Elementary schools attempt to call the homes or the emergency numbers of preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students.  Radio stations announce the early closure. Parents/guardians must have a plan for emergency coverage of students in case dismissal closure becomes necessary and no one is home.  Whenever possible afternoon preschool programs will be canceled when there is an early dismissal, and all other afternoon and evening activities are also canceled.

Make-Up Days – As per school attendance regulations, students must attend school for a minimum of 180 days and the school year must end by June 30th. If snow days exceed these days, we will adjust the school calendar to use school vacation time to make up days.