Steps Avon Schools Took to Prepare for Hurricane Irene

Avon school officials are hopeful that Hurricane Irene will not affect the first day of school on Tuesday, but they await the storm aftermath to know for sure.

"By the time you read this message, it will be on the threshold of the arrival of an unexpected guest with the name Irene," Avon Superintendent Gary Mala wrote in a letter to the community sent out Saturday just before 11 p.m. "I am hopeful that this hurricane will not disrupt the commencement of the 2011-2012 school year, but this remains uncertain as I write this message to you."

Schools, school offices and the central office will all be closed Monday, meaning new student orientations at Avon Middle School and Avon High School will be postponed.

Mala said that the town and school administration have taken the following steps in preparing for the storm.

• Staff met Friday to go over the emergency plan and discuss back-up schedules in the event of any cancellations.
• A backup site is available if needed to "manage the district payroll and budget management functions" at Thompson Brook School.
• Peter Gaski, director of facilities, and Paula Schwartz, interim assistant superintendent of schools, are designated as next in command for dealing with Hurricane Irene in the event that communication is lost with Mala at all during the storm.
• School administrators will use district communication systems, the press, and television and radio stations to communicate with parents, staff and the community.
• Avon High School is equipped as a possible emergency evacuation site, and town officials will activate an emergency shelter if needed.
• The high school cafeteria is stocked up with food in the event it is needed for an emergency shelter.
• Gaski and Mala met with Avon Emergency Operations Center staff at the Saturday morning to coordinate a plan for assessing storm damage.
• All district communications have been tested and are working.
• Avon custodial, maintenance and food services staff are on call.
• The district will maintain contact with emergency management staff throughout the storm and update the public with information as necessary.

"With that said, I hope that you all remain safe and that we do not experience any adverse effects due to Hurricane Irene," Mala wrote in the letter. "We will continue to work cooperatively with town agencies during and after the storm to ensure that all of us remain safe and free from harm’s way. Any alteration to the school year schedule will be announced using any/all means available for us to do so."

Editor's Note: Parents can check Avon Patch regularly, if there is Internet access, for updates.