Weather advisory and information about tomorrow’s school day
February 2, 2023
Dear caregivers and staff,
We wanted to share the following information regarding the upcoming deep freeze expected from tomorrow, Feb 3rd, through Saturday, Feb 4th.
Wind Chill Warning in effect from February 3, 10:00 AM EST until February 4, 01:00 PM EST – latest weather alerts seen here.
Salem Public Schools will have a regular school day. All outdoor activities will be replaced with indoor alternatives. This includes recess. We encourage all families to wear weather-appropriate clothing, including hats and gloves. If students are in need of winter clothing, please reach out to your school’s main office or the City Connects staff member at each school.
Our transportation partner plans to call our drivers in extra early to ensure that all buses are warmed and prepared for their routes.
Additional information from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency:
What you can do during extreme cold weather:
Continue to check the media for emergency information.
Follow instructions from public safety officials.
Reduce outdoor activities for the whole family, including pets.
Dress in several layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing instead of a single heavy layer. Outer garments should be tightly woven and water-repellent. Wear a hat, mittens (not gloves), and sturdy waterproof boots to protect your arms, legs, hands, and feet. – Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs.
Follow recommended safety precautions when using space heaters, a fireplace, or a woodstove to heat your home. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Make sure emergency generators or secondary heating systems are well-ventilated.
If you lose heating, move into a single room. At night, cover windows and external doors with extra blankets or sheets.
Wrap pipes in insulation or layers of newspapers covered in plastic to prevent them from freezing. Let a trickle of warm water run from a faucet to keep water moving through your pipes.
If your pipes freeze, open all faucets all the way, remove any insulation, and heat the frozen pipe with a hair dryer or wrap with towels soaked in hot water. Never use an open flame to thaw pipes.
Check with your local authorities or Call 2-1-1 to find warming centers or shelters near you.
In the event of a power outage, you may need to take extra precautions or go to an emergency shelter to stay warm.
Know the symptoms of and watch out for cold-related illnesses.
Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies.
Be a good neighbor. Check on family, friends, and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, those with medical conditions, and those who may need extra help.
In addition, The City of Salem has designated Life Bridge at 54 Margin Street as a warming center from 9:00 am on Friday, Feb 3, through Sunday morning/afternoon. Beverages and meals for those who need them will also be available on-site. Other sites may be activated if necessary, but all will be welcome, and nobody will be turned away.
We ask our families to plan ahead, exercise caution and ensure that students dress properly for the forecasted temperatures. Please stay safe and warm,
Steve
