Inclement Weather Policy
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School Age (Under 22) Programs
In the event of inclement weather, SMEC school-age programs will be closed and/or opening/dismissal times may be altered if the districts in which the programs are located* have cancelled school or made the decision to delay opening/dismiss early. Please watch for school closings in the town where your child’s program is located on your local news stations. The information will also be posted to our website and our Facebook page as early as possible.
It will also be sent out by School Messenger: please make sure that your contact information on file at SMEC is current and that you have indicated your preferred method of delivery (phone, text and/or email). You must Opt-In to receive text messages.
| Alternative Learning Classroom I (Ford MS) | Acushnet |
| Alternative Learning Classroom II (Dartmouth HS) | Dartmouth |
| Early Childhood Program (4238 Acushnet Ave) | Follows New Bedford schedule unless otherwise notified |
| Integrated Services Program I (Hastings MS) | Fairhaven |
| Integrated Services Program II (ORR HS) | ORR |
| Multidisciplinary Learning Center (Old Hammondtown Elem.) | Mattapoisett |
| Primary Language Program (Rochester Memorial) | Rochester |
| Therapeutic Learning Center (267 Samuel Barnet Blvd) | Follows New Bedford schedule unless otherwise notified |
| Therapeutic Learning Program (Quinn Elem.) | Dartmouth |
| Transitional Services Program (56 Bridge Street) | Follows New Bedford schedule unless otherwise notified |
| SMEC Early Childhood Program (Program Opening Date TBD | New Bedford |
SMEC Student (Under Age 22) Transportation
If the student’s home district is closed due to severe weather (excluding cold) and/or road conditions, SMEC cannot provide transportation, even if the student’s SMEC school program is open in a different town. Districts that use private transportation companies may have different policies for these circumstances, please check with your local special education office. If the student’s SMEC program is open but their hometown schools are closed, parents have the option of providing their own transportation to and from the SMEC program but must notify the classroom teacher, by telephone or email, at least 30 minutes prior to arrival if they plan to do so. Students may not be dropped off before the actual start time of the program (including delayed starts if applicable) and must be picked up promptly before/at dismissal.
SAIL and ADH Adult Service (Age 22+) Programs
In the event of severe inclement weather, the SAIL Day Program and/or SMEC Adult Day Health Program may be forced to close or delay opening. A decision will be made by 6:30 a.m. and sent out by School Messenger. This information will also be posted on our website and our Facebook page as early as possible.
For individuals using public transportation, if SRTA transportation is cancelled but the SAIL program is open, consumers have the option to provide their own transportation to the program. Consumers providing their own transportation cannot be dropped off before the program opens, even if delayed, and must be picked up promptly at dismissal.
Employment Support
Please note that Transitional Services students and SAIL consumers who are scheduled to work on days that our programs are closed should still plan on fulfilling their job responsibilities as scheduled unless notified otherwise. For questions regarding employment services during inclement weather, please contact SMEC employment department to discuss a particular situation at:
Kimmi Silva at, 508 998 5444 ext. 115; [email protected] or (508) 742-8234 (cell).
Travel Ban Exemption Clause
In the event that a State of Emergency and/or Travel Ban is issued by the Massachusetts Governor’s office for extreme weather, SMEC employees fall under the exemption for “Personnel supporting human services facilities, including but not limited to residential housing programs and human services shelter operations.” Therefore, SMEC staff who are scheduled to report to the residences during extreme weather are exempt from the travel ban and should notify any law enforcement officer who may question their presence on the roadways that they are exempt human services personnel. Staff should provide their SMEC identification and give the officer the SMEC supervisor’s phone number to confirm if necessary.
Up-to-date information on States of Emergency and Travel Bans can be found at www.mass.gov.