hard deadlines

All Portsmouth schools will be closing early tomorrow in anticipation of the tropical-storm-force winds from Hurricane Earl, according to a note distributed on the District listserv this afternoon:

We will be dismissing our schools early tomorrow due to the weather forecast. The dismissal times will be as follows:

PHS – 12 noon
PMS – 12:30 PM
Elementaries – 1:30 PM

Afternoon kindergarten is CANCELLED. Morning kindergarten will run as scheduled.
All athletics and after school activities are CANCELLED, including the PAY Program.

There was a conference call this afternoon with RIEMA. The severe wind and rain is currently predicted to hit at 5:00 PM. This schedule will enable us to have everyone home safely by 3:00 PM. I am notifying families now so that particularly those with young children can plan and make sure someone is at home to meet their children.

Attached is information on the Portsmouth Middle School Shelter, should anyone need emergency shelter.

Please continue to listen and watch for further updates. If the weather forecast takes a turn for the worse, further cancellations are possible.

Editorial note: I'm really, really sorry about the headline. Sometimes I can't help myself.