Weather Update 12/18/06

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this very bizarre weather these past weeks.  These storms have thrown quite a few new wrinkles our way.

When we arrived early this morning, we found that what power and heat we had on Sunday was actually reduced to the point we couldn’t hold class today.  The plans we had in place, given the limited resources we believed we would have to work with, were no longer sufficient.  The boilers were not functioning in the main building and very few of the rooms even had enough power to turn on the lights. 

That said, we expect to open school tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 19, on time at 8:30am.  While we are still without full power and heat in most areas of the plant, the teachers and I really want to send the students off for the Christmas break having given them the chance to stage their holiday program.  They have worked hard.

We will gather for our Advent wreath prayer then grab what is needed from our classrooms and move to whatever location gives us the most heat and light.  We’ll do a quick run-through and then, at 10:00am, begin the performance.  Some light refreshments and (hopefully) warm coffee will be available for our guests.

After the production, we’ll hold a short recess.  At its conclusion, we’ll find our way back to the social hall where the teachers have some fun activities planned and, we have heard, a “special guest” may appear.

We’ll dismiss for the Christmas break at 12:15pm.  We will NOT have a lunch period.  If you prefer to take your child home after the production, you are welcome to do so but please make sure both the classroom teacher AND the office know of your intentions.

Morning Care will be offered at regular time, but as planned and previously announced, After Care WILL NOT be provided.

As you have discovered, communications have been extremely difficult with our power fluctuations.  Our phone, internet and e-mail service are all managed through our on-site server.  When that system is affected (either with a malfunctioning switch as was the case earlier this month, or by the power outage) we have no way of accessing the phones to change a message.  Once on site, with no internet capability, we can’t post a note on the web either.  I can do that remotely at home, but that doesn’t help once I’ve made the trek over the bridge.  It has been very frustrating for all of us working in the parish.  Know that we are taking steps to correct these issues.  Hopefully, we have used up our allotment of bad weather and we’ll have solutions in place for the next time.  Say a prayer.

Have a wonderful Christmas filled with peace, light and heat!

Dan