According to a memo posted on the Westport Public Schools website and sent in an e-mail via Connect-ED, if Westport schools are forced to close on Monday due to Hurricane Irene, the first day of school for the 2011-12 year will be August 31. This is the day after school has been planned to commence.
In the notice, which was written by Superintendent Elliott Landon, and titled “HURRICANE ALERT,” Landon says that the school year will begin on the very first day Westport schools are possibly able to open. This, according to Landon, is to prevent extending the school year or eliminating scheduled school vacations in February and April.
Landon writes that more information will be released as the hurricane can be more closely assessed in the next few days.
Hurricane Irene, which is currently a Category 2 hurricane situated off the coast of South Carolina, is expected to hit Westport some time on Sunday as a Category 1 force. First Selectman Gordon Joseloff has urged those near the shoreline to make preparations to evacuate and prepare their homes for flooding. Additionally, Governor Dannel Malloy has declared Connecticut to be in a state of emergency.
In light of recent weather reports and advisories, Inklings recommends that all Westport residents remain indoors during the storm in order to promote general safety, and to prevent additional injury to property and livelihood.