November 22, 2024

Dear Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,

I hope this letter finds you happy, healthy, and enjoying what has been a great fall season.  As we approach the winter months, undoubtedly we will encounter some inclement weather that will impact our daily school operations.  The purpose of this letter is to share with you the approach I will take to determine if we have school, delay the start of school for two hours, dismiss early, or cancel for the day when winter storms happen.

To help make the best decision possible, I will be in contact with Richmond Public Works Director, Darren Delano; Richmond School Department’s Transportation Director, Frederica Shorey; and Richmond School Department’s Head of Maintenance and Custodial Services, Chelley Choate to gather information about local road conditions and the readiness of our schools.  I will also be in contact with other school superintendents in the area and will be tracking the weather online.

Depending on the timing, size, and severity of the storms we get, notifications will either be sent out in the evening if a delay or cancellation is inevitable, or in the morning by 5:15am if there is a chance for us to have school as usual.  In the event that we are in session and need to dismiss early to avoid students and staff traveling home in a storm, a decision will be made as quickly as possible.  As of right now, I do not plan to have remote days instead of cancellations unless it is absolutely necessary. 

Delay, cancellation, and early dismissal notifications will be sent to you in the same manner as Superintendent Webster did last year using a combination of phone calls, text messages, and emails that are generated through our communications system “Thrillshare”.  I will also be posting information to our website, WCSH Channel 6, WMTW Channel 8, and WGME Channel 13.  Please contact me at ckempton@richmondpk12.org if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions in regards to my approach to managing winter storms.  

Go Bobcats!

Sincerely,

Chad Kempton

Superintendent of Schools

Richmond School Department