Do all of the parents in the district have email connections?
Is this how they normally communicate such things?

Actually, sending out emails to parents like this (in addition to more
traditional means like paper letters) is a great thing. Parents learn
about
these things sooner. And even if they don't have email, other parents will
tell them about the changes before they can get letters from the school.

In addition, many schools have web pages with schedule changes, etc., on
them.

In addition, many times, there is some reason why the change -- missed
school days because of a power failure or water outage or big snow storm
(though not this early).

And it'd be great to send an email out telling local parents there was a
power cut so the school was cancelled. (surprise-no one got it!) ;-)
Debbie