It's Official - Regional Schools to Open on Monday
School Superintendent Dr. Michael Harvey announced on Sunday evening that schools would definitely open as usual on Monday.
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Streets, bus stops and the school grounds have all been plowed after the weekend blizzard and Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District schools will open on Monday, according to School Superintendent Dr. Michael Harvey.
Hamilton-Wenham Patch reported earlier on Sunday that the plowing and snow removal was on track for schools to open.
But at about 8 p.m. on Sunday, Harvey said in a Connect-CTY e-mail and phone message that schools would definitely be open on Monday.
The school district’s bus contractor, Salter Bus Company, said it does not “anticipate any major difficulty in completing their bus runs in the morning,” he said.
The Department of Public Works from both Hamilton and Wenham “have concluded their major snow removal operations,” Harvey said. That includes side streets and bus stops, plus the parking lots and sidewalks at the schools.
Harvey also reminded parents and students that while streets and sidewalks have been cleared, “large snow banks at intersections may cause reduced visibility for both drivers and pedestrians” and drivers should be on the lookout for pedestrians.
The predicted warm temperatures this week should help reduce the snowbank size, Harvey said.
“Many thanks to our maintenance staff and the DPWs for their incredible efforts to get us ready for tomorrow,” Harvey said in the message.
Pingree School in Hamilton will be closed on Monday, according to a list of school cancellations on WHDH-TV's website.
This story was updated at 6:45 a.m. on Monday to indicate that Pingree School is closed on Monday.
In This article
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Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District
5 School St, Wenham, MA -
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Hamilton Department of Public Works
577 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA -
Wenham Highway Department
91 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA -
Pingree School
537 Highland St, South Hamilton, MA
Chase Schaub
8:55 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Someone is feeding in false information. I was driving around about 30 minutes ago and a majority of bus stops and sidewalks remain unplowed and covered in 5 feet of snow from what the plows pushed onto them. There were no crews even working on any sidewalks. Someone is being mislead. It IS a safety hazard, which is why every other area school has chosen to put safety first and remained close for tomorrow.
Michelle Bailey
9:06 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Perhaps the DPW do not know where the bus stops are located. The sidewalks immediately around the schools are clear. But the sidewalks to get to and from the bus stops are not. Cherry St in Wenham is a very busy cut through street in the mornings, but the sidewalks are uncleared. At least today, drivers were not even inclined to slow down while I was walking in the street.
Concerned Townsperson
9:11 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
The streets are still not safe. Reduced visibility is putting drivers at a major risk. It is absurd to allow these students to walk and drive around town in these conditions. Safety should come first above all else. This is why schools in the general area have decided to keep the students safe and cancell school. Hamilton Wenham should know better to take these actions as well.
ER
9:28 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Goodness it's New England. I'm almost 100% sure that everyone involved in these decisions is doing everything in their power to keep everyone safe. It's not like this hasn't happened to us before...
GDTRFB
2:59 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
I agree with you....but on the other hand I would say it isn't fair for the kids. They are the only school on the whole north shore that has to go to school tomorrow. Why shouldn't they get an extra day like everyone else who gets to go sledding tomorrow?
HW citizen
9:36 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
As I was driving home about 30 minutes ago, I passed my children's bus stop. It was completely covered in snow from the road to the end of the sidewalk. I don't really understand how the children are supposed to take the bus unless they are standing on the road. In my opinion, the town should have waited another day to get everything cleared and to ensure maximum safety for the students.
Amy Weagle Dubois
9:42 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013
Interesting that they say sidewalks and bus stops are "cleared". Union Street is still not plowed. I am not walking down to the bus stop and stand in the street with a kindergartner and 2 babies. I had a hard enough time seeing around snow banks myself this morning.
Raven T.
2:59 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
i just took a walk around in my neighborhood and there is still lots of sidewalks that aren't cleared, and even my children's bus stop is blocked by a 5 ft snowbank. Now someone please tell me how it's a rational decision to schedule school for monday.