A Letter From Supt. John Brady

We have been strongly advised by Town emergency and DPW personnel that many roadways throughout the District remain unsafe. In some instances, trees are still resting on power lines that could give way. Amity has power at the Orange Middle School and at the High School, but the middle school in Bethany remains without power. It is anticipated that these conditions will persist throughout this week

Because of these conditions, the BOWA Superintendents have agreed to delay the start of the 2011-2012 school year for students until Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Amity will operate this first day with a delayed opening for grades 10-12 students at the high school and for grade 8 students at the middle schools with arrival at 9:30 a.m. Grades 9 and 7 students will follow their previously published day 1 schedule arriving for orientation at 7:30 a.m.

I will be making a recommendation to the Board of Education at its September meeting  as to how to make up these lost four days of school. I will notify families after the Board acts on my recommendation.

We regret any inconvenience this change will cause families, but find it unavoidable.

John J. Brady, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

Orange Patch Editor's Note: As we have published in several articles, Orange First Selectman Jim Zeoli has been lobbying for a Sept. 6 starting date all week long — most recently during phone calls with the superintendents this morning.

Upon learning the superintendent's decision from Patch, Zeoli said, "Good, I'm glad. This will give everyone the time they need to get ready so they can start off the school year the right way."