What I don't understand is how students who take the bus are expected to get to their bus stops? Are they expected to walk through 5-8 feet snow that's plowed up on the sidewalks? It just seems unnecessarily dangerous to have kids walking on the streets during HW's rush hour. They should do what other North Shore communities have done. It's about safety.

As I was driving today I found most roads extremely narrow. The school buses tomorrow will mostly likely have a hard to picking up students. On top of that, where are the students suppose to wait for the buss? The middle of the street? Having school on Monday doesn't seem to be the safest move.

Update: At 4:26 p.m. on Sunday, Superintendent Dr. Michael Harvey tweeted that he has made a final decision and school will be open on Monday for the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. https://twitter.com/hwschoolssuper/status/300717289131630593

As I was attempting to leave our neighborhood today, we found it very difficult to navigate on the road with other cars because the streets were so narrow. I do not trust my bus driver in these conditions. Take the hint and follow what other communities have done. This is for the safety of others.

I agree.. if need be.. start Feb. break now.

I am concerned about schools opening in Hamilton-Wenham as well. Ipswich and Manchester are closed. The roads are narrow and there are no accessible sidewalks for children to walk on. The weather forecast sounds tricky tomorrow morning. This is a matter of public safety. Let's not make hasty decisions when it comes to the safety of our children.

Safety of our children is what the town officials should thinking about. And what about the teachers who don't live very close to this area? They also deserve to be safe. I agree with everyone's previous post. Let the kids stay home on Monday until the roads are safe

I just saw that Belmont schools are closed. The responsible thing to do is to close Ham-Wen Schools and get the sidewalks cleaned. It is fine that the DPW has cleared the school lots, but our students have to get there safely.

Wait I'm supposed to walk in the street with a kindergartner and a double wide stroller?!

All neighboring systems on the North Shore ~ Rockport, Gloucester, Manchester-Essex, Ipswich, Beverly, and Salem ~ are now officially closed. What about Hamilton-Wenham?

hooray for those of you who take the bus or have your kids walk to school (and, yes, safety IS a concern) but it seems like most people in this town drive their kids to school......I wonder what the stats are for who walks, bikes or uses the transportation provided.......

I'd understand the decision to leave schools open a little better if the sidewalks were cleared - but since they're not, why are we jeopardizing student safety? It just seems irresponsible.

This is ridiculous that we are actually having school tomorrow. Many will not be able to make it to school, some will try, and in their efforts, they will end up jeopardizing their own safety. Buses will have difficult times getting down roads such as Cutler road where it is narrow, not to mention if a car is attempting to pass, one of the vehicles will be forced up upon the snowbank. And the line to drop off students will be extremely long, backing up traffic for those who don't even need to get to the school. Many students will simply not come and many of those that do will be un-attentive and distracted. Having school tomorrow is the wrong decision to be made and should quickly amended.

Final words can be changed if it is safety issue....I live near Buker and the sidewalks are clear but not so many of the other ones are including 1a heading to Beverly.

I am extremely disappointed in the our town officials for allowing there to be school tomorrow. This is an outrageous decision putting children's lives in danger. Hamilton Wenham town officals, shame on you.

Extremely stupid look at all of the schools that are closed and we arent because they are the schools that are most educated on when to close school and when not to

Which sidewalks aren't cleared? I think this is where the "common sense" manifesto comes in.

1. If you're nervous- walk with your kid to school or bus stop.
2. If you don't want them (or you) walking to the bus stop, or standing on snow bank at bus stop, why not drive them?
3. If you need to leave for work and have complicated morning schedule and can't drive them- quickly figure out a carpool- I'm sure you know someone who can help you out?

What do kids in Minnesota do in the winter when sidewalks aren't clear? They'd miss a lot of school, wouldnt they?

I drive my kids to school everyday. It's safer.

Alright Mr. Goodridge I think it's time you give up your little argument. You are clearly outnumbered here and starting to come off as arogant.

Beverly, Manchester, and Ipswich are closed.... Just sayin'

Sidewalks on 1A are not cleared. Neither is Larch Row. I drive on these roads each day as I go to work and see children waiting for buses there. I guess I just want to know that the people in charge of the schools are making good decisions for our children. This is a pretty easy call to make. Hundreds of other districts have done it. It just makes me question their better judgement.

I believe Mr.Goodridge is 110% correct. Sure we arent as prepare as minnesota but all this whining wont get us anywhere! Think of it as one more day of summer kids...

Recall, October 31, when Town officials cancelled Halloween, because of safety concerns of walking on the sidewalks in a few areas of town. At least then we knew where to find the sidewalks. This decision seems inconsistent with that decision. However, Mr. Goodridge and myself, thought the same thing then as now. Safety is of great concern to parents. We have the ability to safely get our kids around the neighborhoods and off to school tomorrow despite impassable sidewalks in some areas.

Town officials really making an inexcusable error here. My family and I are praying that no innocent child suffers a gruesome injury as a result of this mishap. All the new drivers out on the snow-covered roads, an accident is inevitable.

BTW...Pleasant and Cherry street sidewalks are not cleared either.

Have the roofs been cleared? If not there will be some heavy snow on there from the rain we are getting tomorrow. The rain will also make the roads slippery.

It is just a concern in general for the transportation to school, sidewalks being passable or not. It is true some sidewalks are not passable, and I am not fully comfortable driving to school in these conditions. In some areas near chebacco road, there is still snow and ice on the road, which makes it a dangerous route driving. It is imperative for the school officials to consider all areas of Hamilton, not just the main roads, where still snowy areas exist.

Dr. Harvey consulted with the appropriate authorities, who have more information available to them than people looking out their windows. Either you need to trust the experts or keep your child home and stay home from work. (I don't see many working parents opposing this decision.)

To the very first poster who said there were "5-8 feet of snow": My friend, YOU need to be in math class tomorrow!

The safety of ALL children will always be my main concern.

I don't think masconomet is closed tomorrow.

Where is my comment? I pray that Satan did not wish it away

My street's sidewalk and a lot of other sidewalks are not cleared. A foot of snow and kids are going to have to walk on very busy streets. Really safe.

can changes be made to the final decision? i think the safety is a bit iffy for the kids+their bus stops and especially the choice kids who have to travel from different towns (which could have different weather conditions than hamilton-wenham) and on the train that might not be running...

The students need to all go on strike. This is an unforgettable mistake, by the Hamilton-Wenham superintendent.

Looks like the Patch is under te control of the dark lord Satan. I will be creating a new news channel known as the Jesus Our Savior's Guidance of the Good Book Alert System. Please subscribe

I can't believe we allow teachers to spread the satanic lessons of democracy and geography. My prayers are with the children.

This is crazy, why would Dr Harvey make a huge mistake like this. Peoples lives are in danger. I feel that this desicion should be over- turned. A bus stop outside my house is not clear and a child could be hit in the street. Dr, please change your desicion, there are still blocked stops and sidewalks. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!

All of these comments are great food for thought.
As far as common sense is concerned, some people do not have the options that have been previously posted. And one more day of summer for the kids? At what cost?
When it comes down to it, we are the parents and we get the final decision on wether or not our children go off to school tomorrow, not the school district. I hope parents make the best choice for what they feel is best for thier kids. Not what the town feels is best for our children.
If you don't feel safe sending your children off to school tomorrow then don't.
BTW if you want see for your self how bad the roads are take a drive down railroad ave, union, willow st area

i think that school should be cancelld be cause its a danger isshu for my children and the communities children to be walkin to the bus stops when theres still 2 feet of snow in my street and in my neigbors drive way. im gonna be dissaopointed with the town's decision if school isn't cancelle tomorrow febuary 11th, 2013.

I still am flabbergasted that the town expects us parents to just let our children go out into the streets during rush hour.... like really?

I agree with Mr. Goodridge, children need to be in school more not less! I planned a bit ahead, left a minute or two earlier and dropped my son at school on the way. The sidewalks were clear from our home to the school.

guys stop being complete retards...we have school simply because Hamilton-Wenham did a better job at plowing. so stop your whining