Closings & Delays
The following procedures will be implemented to notify you in the event of a two (2) hour delayed opening, early dismissal, emergency evacuation, or cancellation of school. In all instances, please tune to the following radio and TV stations for information. (please do not call the radio, TV station or the schools for this information):
Radio - WOKQ 97.5 FM Dover
Television - WMUR Channel 9 Manchester
Two (2) Hour Delayed Opening:
Delayed opening is an alternative to closing school for the entire day. If the decision is to delay the opening of school, the following will occur:
- An announcement will be made at approximately 6:00 a.m.
- If weather conditions do not improve by approximately 8:00 a.m., another announcement will be made announcing the cancellation of school for the day.
- For a delayed opening, school starting times are as such; 9:30 a.m. middle school; 9:40 a.m. high school; 10:15 a.m. elementary schools.
Early Dismissal:
In very rare instances, conditions may develop during the school day that warrant sending students home early. Whenever possible, this decision will be made the night prior to, or by 11:00 a.m. on that day. This decision, and dismissal times, will be announced as listed above, and an email and phone alert will be sent to all families on the school electronic contact list. If you have registered for text messages, you will be notified via text, rather than a phone call. Please indicate on your child’s Emergency Form any special circumstances related to your child being dismissed early from school. It is important that any changes in those circumstances be communicated to your child’s school. Whenever possible, school lunch will be served prior to dismissal.
Emergency Evacuation:
In the event of an emergency evacuation, an announcement will be made as listed above, and an email alert will be sent to all families on the school electronic contact list. If students have been evacuated to a safe location, you will be notified where and when to pick up your children. Children will only be released to parents/guardians or an authorized adult. If children are dismissed directly from school, you will be notified of the time of the dismissal. Children will travel home in their customary manner(walk, bus, or picked up by an authorized person). As with early dismissal, it is important to indicate on your child’s Emergency Form any special circumstances related to your child being dismissed early from school. We ask that you do not call the school but tune in to the radio and TV station listed above. It is very important that the telephone lines are available for emergency purposes.
Cancellation:
The decision to cancel school for the day will typically be made by 6:00 a.m. If weather conditions worsen following a Delayed Opening, an announcement canceling school will be made by 8:00 a.m. School cancellation or “No School” announcements will be announced as listed above, as well as the school notification system.
The City of Dover’s Community Services Department is responsible for maintaining sidewalks and makes every effort to clear snow from them as soon as possible. School will not be cancelled if sidewalks are not plowed in your area.
Family Vacation:
Please note: If you are planning a family vacation at the end of the school year, please do not schedule your vacation until after June 30th. Our academic calendar contains a ten-day window that extends the school-year schedule for each day lost, due to school cancellation.
Family Contact Information:
Please note that emergency phone numbers and email addresses provided should be the ones at which you would like to receive alerts and emergency notifications from the school district.