No School, Delayed Opening & Emergency Release Procedures

Updated: 11/22/23

Our goal is to ensure that our school campuses and facilities are safe for students to attend each day. There will be times when conditions beyond our control, including weather or other factors, might cause us to delay or cancel school, or in rare circumstances release students on a different schedule. I am providing the information below to help you understand how delays, cancellations and early dismissals work. 

The Decision-Making Process

The Superintendent is responsible for deciding when to cancel, delay or close our schools. Before making a decision, our team consults with our weather service, the Departments of Public Works in Acton and Boxborough, local public safety officials and our own facilities and transportation offices. 

Communication

We try to notify staff and families by 5:30 a.m. about any school closure or delays for the day.  If schools are closed or delayed, the information will be shared with you in the following ways:

• By text, automated phone call, and email  through ParentSquare: https://www.parentsquare.com

• Posted on the District website : www.abschools.org

• Local media: Channel 4 WBZ; Channel 5 WCVB; Channel 7 WHDH; Channel 10 NBC Boston; and FOX 25. 

If you would like to update your ParentSquare contact Go to My Account>>Edit Account and choose “edit.”  For technical assistance, contact  EDTech support  

School Closure/Cancellation

If we decide to cancel school for the day, all schools and programs will be closed .  

For closures/cancellations, the following will apply:

• All PreK-12 classes and school activities will be canceled for the day.  This includes all before and after school activities, sports and extracurricular events. 

• All after school and evening meetings will be canceled unless an exception is made. 

• All Community Education programs will be canceled. 

• Transportation of students to out-of-district schools will be canceled.

• All offices will be closed.

Delayed-Opening

Sometimes, we need extra time to clear roads or sidewalks. In this case we may call for a delayed-opening. 

For delayed openings, the following will apply:

• Transportation will begin picking students up on the same delay as school begins. For example, if a bus run begins at 6:45 a.m. on a regular school day and a two-hour delay is called, that bus will then aim to pick-up students at 8:45 a.m. 

• Schools will be dismissed at their regular times. 

• Breakfast and Lunch will be available.

• PM and All Day sessions at the Carol Huebner Early Childhood Program (all sites) will begin at 12:00.  AM sessions will be canceled. 

• Community Education Extended Day will open on a delayed schedule. 

• After-school activities and programs will operate under their normal schedule. 

• School offices will open the same amount of time later as the delay announced. 

Emergency Release

Once students arrive at school and the buildings are open, we make every effort to operate a normal schedule and release students at the normally scheduled time. However, in the event of severe weather or other emergency conditions, it may be necessary for us to release students on a different schedule. If such a decision needs to be made then the automated notification system will be used to alert parents and guardians. Please have a plan in place with your child who might arrive home early on these unusual occasions.

Special Note on Weather Conditions and Student Drivers

Our goal is to be open every day.  It is a family’s decision if weather conditions are safe for student drivers.  If you believe conditions are unsafe, please make alternate arrangements for your student to get to school.