Emergency closings are an inevitable part of life in the Northeast due to inclement weather. Therefore, we need to explain our procedures.

EARLY MORNING SNOW/ICE CLOSINGS…Local transportation authorities determine when their buses can operate safely. Therefore, when Monroe Township public schools are not open due to inclement weather, St. Mary School will also be closed. You may now call the school office to receive notification of school closing. The office number is 629-6190. You may also listen to KYW (1060 AM). Our code number is 811 – Monroe Township. Information will also be available on Channel 6 and Channel 10. Only Monroe Township Schools will be announced, St. Mary School will not be identified. We will also have information about school closing on our school web site: www.smarys.org.

Those families who are registered with the Gloucester County Alert will receive a direct notice on their computer, cell phone, or PDA.  All families are encouraged to register on Gloucester County Alert to receive up to date information from Saint Mary School.  Please refer to the section for Parents on our website to connect and register.

Since SMS has students from outside the Monroe Township School District, it is important to understand the following code numbers for:

Franklin Township - #812

If St. Mary School is open and the Winslow Township, Franklin Township, Washington Township and/or Clayton schools are closed, it is the responsibility of the parents to transport students to and from St. Mary School. You may also choose to keep these children home from school for that day, if transportation is a problem. These students will be marked "absent" because they are not here for the day.

EMERGENCY CLOSINGS AFTER THE CHILDREN ARE IN SCHOOL. If we receive word that the school districts will be sending the buses for an unscheduled early dismissal due to dangerous driving weather – we need to cooperate with their request. In this event, those families who are registered with the Gloucester County Alert will receive a direct notice on their computer, cell phone or PDA or Room Mothers will call parents. At the Room Mother meeting in the beginning of the school year, we encouraged the room mothers to call those on their list for a back-up number. We are all aware of weather forecasts predicting snow or ice, therefore, if you will be at a different number than the one previously given to the Room Mother – please call her and give her that new number the night before or early that morning. It is unusual that inclement weather surprises us these days.