If you have not received our test calls from our automated phone system, please send an email to contacts@rsu16.org and tell us who you are, who your student is and which phone numbers(s) you would like to be called at. If you do not have access to email, please provide this information to Linda Chaisson at 998-5400 Ext 165.

NEWSCenter StormCenter Text Alert Information

“School Closing” Announcement Procedure

If the weather becomes bad enough and there is a possibility that we may close school, we urge you to listen to the following radio and TV stations:

We will try to contact all Radio and TV stations by 5:30 a.m., but cannot guarantee the announcement will be aired by then.

It is necessary that the school office, in the building where your child attends, is notified of the alternative childcare arrangements that you have made for your child(ren) before snow season.

Buildings will be closed to all activities when school is canceled. When school is canceled, there will be no practices for any extra-curricular activity.

In certain circumstances, we may simply delay school to allow the town crews to plow, sand and salt the roads to make them safe. When this happens, all morning buses will run late (usually one hour). School will still close at the regular time.

Once school has started, I will make every effort to limit the necessity to call for an early dismissal. If that should happen, however, announcements will be made on the radio and TV stations listed above. If early dismissal is necessary, the decision will be made by 11:00 a.m.

As parents, you always have the final decision. If you feel it is too dangerous for your child(ren), please keep him/her home. We do ask that you call the school and let them know. You may not always agree with my decision to cancel or postpone our schools’ starting time after a storm. Unfortunately, there is no exact science to these decisions and it is simply a best guess on my part at 5:00 a.m. after consulting with our transportation directors and road commissioners. Because there are some unusually hilly and sharp turning roads in RSU #16, there may also be a few occasions when I will cancel or delay school when others around us may not do the same. I will err on the side of caution when transporting our precious children. I would like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Respectfully, Dennis J. Duquette