Portsmouth is closed. Thanks school officials for taking careful precautions to keep all kids safe.

Thanksm Patch for the coverage, and thanks to everyone who commented on Facebook, sent e-mails, and alerted local media. Glad to see that PSD made a safer decision this morning.

I just updated the article. Thanks Beth!

Yay going back to sleep!

I want to thank all residents for their concerns last night and this morning. We will talk with the Town this morning and we will be aided today with some melting, which creates its own problems. The School Committee will address your concerns tomorrow night as part of my Chairman's comments. In addition, I will discuss these concerns with John Klimm, Town Manager and the Superintendent this morning. I believe we need to better identify bus stops for both the DPW and motorists. I would be almost certain the DPW has little knowledge of where our bus stops are. I will ask for the Superintendent, Town Manager, and DPW Director to sit with First Student in the next few days to review the bus stops and what steps we can take to better address safety. I also researched last night the purchase of high flags that could identify bus stops for just this type of occurrence. These could be given out to parents before the winter season to mark each corner of a bus stop. I urge parents to use extreme caution tomorrow when they walk their kids to the bus stop. And, I pledge to address the many concerns so that we are better prepared for the Blizzard of '13 1/5.

Thank you Mr. Croston for addressing this situation. It's times like these when we have the opportunity to learn and benefit from the experience. A big thank you to Portsmouth Patch, a real lifeline to what's going on since we've been without heat and power for going on a fourth day. Patience is a virtue but it's a whole lot easier when you have some idea of what's going on!

The decision to close schools is taken very seriously by the school department. Closing schools makes parents angry on both sides of the issue. If we had school today, children who had no power for the last 3 days had a warm place to go and could have had a hot meal. This morning parents are scrambling to find care for their children since most people are back to work. This is an unusual situation and bus stops and walking paths are going to be dangerous for a while. Let's all use caution as we get around town to keep everyone safe and do our part to be sure important areas get clear. Let the children go out and play and enjoy the beautiful sights. This will be gone soon.

I know I'm unpopular here, but whatever happened to personal responsibility? We all complain that we pay too many taxes and then we expect more and more from our town. We want our DPW to dig out our bus stops? I would never expect that! Yes, it's difficult to shovel snow, but we've had a few days here - parents get together and get out there and dig out the bus stops for YOUR children! Or pitch in and hire someone to do so. I've been there and done that. We are also supposed to dig out our mailboxes. We are, not our DPW. They have enough to do. It was a difficult storm. We are Yankees - we are supposed to be tough people. Teach your children perseverance and self-sufficiency. These are not bad traits! And, before you all comment that I must not have had to shovel - oh yes I did. I know the challenge you're facing. And I have children, too!

I think it was very inconsiderate for the decision to be made at 545 am. I had to scramble last minute to figure out what to do with my boys. It was quite clear that the roads were not done being treated when Park Ave still had chunks of snow on it as of last night and with some residents having no power it seemed very unreasonable to still commence school.

My childrens bus stop has over 8 feet of snow where the plows left it. I dug out my mailbox twice only to find heaps of snow there hours later. I give up. I will drive my kids to school until this is finished clearing.

As a teacher who took a leave of absence while my daughters were pre-schoolers, I waited diligently by the radio/tv for snow closures when my first child started kindergarten, worrying about her safety to and from school. By the end of that winter, I decided I was the one who was ultimately responsible for my daughters' safety and made the decision whether or not they would be going to school. The school district made a decision for all the students, but I made the decision for each of my daughters. There are enough senseless tragedies facing our students without creating one during severe weather.

Mr. Croston – One of the things that I think the school department, and public works need to look at is the waste that has happened as a result of all this. The snow removal crews work tirelessly to have the school parking lots cleared and then school is cancelled. In future snow emergencies, perhaps instead of clearing the parking lots entirely, clear only enough for teachers and staff, and for the busses to drop off students. Require students to ride the bus. Then, instead of clearing the entire parking lots at the schools, crews could be dispatched to ensure the bus stops are clear.
Another concern that needs to be addressed is where (h.s.) students walk to school. When the sidewalks are piled with plowed snow they walk in the street – walking along East Main Road, Turnpike, Sprague, etc. – with traffic speeding by. Not safe!

I do agree that (especially in a storm as large as this ) we all need to take responsibility ..that means (1) going out to clear out your mailbox, as you are required to do (I sent my 10 yr old out yesterday to dig it out) (2) clearing out your bus stop if necessary so that kids can wait safely, (3) driving SLOWLY and Cautiously! I was just out this am for first time since friday and could not believe how some people are driving as if the roads are clear and dry!

The plows can only do so much and we may need to pitch in a little in the smaller areas.

Do I think we should have called off school last night? YES , but that is not my call. A lot of streets are still bad, in fact, Easton Ave was not even passable until about an hr ago.

So, please ,be safe, leave early and look out for others....Especially the kids that *hopefully* will be out there tomorrow.

I would like to be very clear that the closing of school is a School Administration call. Mr. Klimm and Mr. Kehew and their teams did an extraordinary job clearing our roads and assuring emergency responders. My hat is off to them. Had they been asked they may have recommended closing yesterday, but they were not. I just don't want these men erroneously being called out.

We will get departments together and will address where our communication and response could have been different.

Additionally, I would like to commend Don Davidson, our engineers, custodians, and on-call contractors for their efforts this weekend. These men and women worked tirelessly and in very difficult conditions to protect and repair our buildings. In the worst of weather they were protecting and fixing circulatory issues and broken pipes. Their work preserves over $40 million in buildings on a daily basis and I deeply appreciate their commitment to our schools. GREAT JOB!

Croston is backpaddling. It is 100% his fault. He thinks his elected job is to run every detail of the school department. He was the one who pushed to have schools open today. That is why he is posting here, trying to blame it on others. Pathetic megalomaniac!

Is it fair to assume then, that neither the Superintendent, nor the DPW, nor the chair of the School Committee, knew about the location & condition of the school bus stops when they made this decision on Sunday night? So what was the decision based on?

Several districts are still closed tomorrow or delayed...any word on Portsmouth? Will there be freezing tonight to impact the morning commute?

I would add if there are plans to call or delay school, please do so this evening for those of us that will need to plan accordingly. Thank you.