School Cancellation Procedures
When severe weather strikes northeastern Connecticut, students and their families have several options to find out if there are late openings, early closings or school cancellations in the Stafford School District. Announcements can be heard on the following stations:
Television Stations       
 
WVIT     Channel 30
WFSB    Channel   3
WTNH   Channel   8
Radio Stations

                     WTIC  FM       96.5    
                     WDRC  FM    102.9    
                     WHCN  FM    105.9    
                     WWYZ  FM      92.5
                     WKSS   FM      95.7 
                     WTIC    AM     1080
                     WDRC  AM     1360  


In the event that conditions warrant closing school for the entire day, announcements will be made between 5:30 and 8:00 in the morning. Under most circumstances, this will also mean cancellation of any and all events scheduled for later that day.

LATE OPENINGS
Under some conditions, the announcement will inform viewers/listeners that the start of school will be delayed by 90 minutes.  In those instances, Stafford Middle School’s hours will be 8:55 a.m. to 1:55 p.m.

EARLY CLOSINGS
     Similarly, there may be an occasion in which school must be closed early due to an approaching storm or increasingly hazardous driving conditions.  In this event, students will be dismissed from school at 12:25 p.m. – or reasonably soon thereafter.  Please be informed that it is not possible for the school to call individuals with this information.  Also, it is requested that parents/guardians not call the school regarding early dismissal.  If it is anticipated that no one will be home this early in the afternoon, a plan should be in place instructing your child of what to do in this emergency.

NOTE # 1: When the weather is severe enough that it is necessary to close schools, it is extremely important that working parents have a pre-arranged child care available to them (ie., arrangements with a friend or neighbor; provisions at a child care center; arrangements with a neighborhood teenager who would also be out of school). It is important that parents make these arrangements before the event, since New England weather is unpredictable, and it’s not unusual to be hit by a storm early in the school year (for example, a hurricane).

NOTE # 2: Students should be aware that on the day after a “snow day” their schedule would follow the regular sequence.  For example, if there is no school on Day 1, the following day will be Day 2.  Similarly, all after-school detentions and “still to be served” suspension dates will be rescheduled beginning on the next school day.




































Absentee Procedures


 WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ABSENT FROM SCHOOL...........

On the day of absence:
     When you determine that it is necessary for your child to be out of school, you are requested to contact the school between 7:15 - 8:30 a.m. by telephone to confirm the absence. The number is 684-2785. Parents who do not contact the office will be called at home, or if necessary, at work to confirm an absence whenever a student is absent from school.

Upon return to school:
     On the day the your child returns to school after any absence, they must also bring a written excuse from you. The note must be dated, properly signed, and give the
  • The DAY & DATE of absence as well as,
  • The REASON for the absence
     The student must give the note to their homeroom teacher.

Please note: 
It is the student's responsibility to make up and turn in any missed assignments in the event he / she is absent.