WHAT HAPPENS DURING A WEATHER EMERGENCY?
The
purpose of this FAQ list is to provide you with information necessary
to be prepared for the closing or delay of school due to a weather
emergency.
WHO IS WATCHING THE WEATHER?
School
district personnel maintain a careful watch of the weather during the
winter season. Adverse weather conditions and the time of day they occur
affect the operation of school and bus transportation.
WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION?
School
District sources of weather information are local radio and television
broadcasts as well as the National Weather Service.
WHAT FACTORS GO INTO MAKING THE DECISION
TO CLOSE SCHOOL?
- Weather forecasts from radio and television stations
- School district, Penn DOT, and State Police assessment of road conditions
- School district's assessment of school parking and accessibility of buildings
- Time snow is expected to start and end
- Amount of snow accumulated and predicted
- Expected impact on traffic
- Weather conditions expected after the snow
WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
The final decision to alter the school schedule is made by the Superintendent in consultation
with other school, transportation, and law enforcement officials.
HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?
The school district will use its emergency announcement system for
notifying parents and students that schools are closed or delayed
because of weather conditions, as well as the district website. The information is also posted on local radio and television stations and their associated websites.
WHAT HAPPENS ON A DELAYED OPENING OF SCHOOL?
Weather conditions may require delaying the opening of school. In the
event of a delayed opening of school, buses will arrive at the bus stops
two hours later than usual and school will begin two hours later than
usual. Breakfast is not served on days when schools are on a two hour
delay.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE WEATHER BECOMES SEVERE
DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?
It may become necessary to dismiss students one or two hours earlier
than norinal Information on road conditions is received from Penn DOT
and the Pennsylvania State Police to determine the best time for
dismissal.
WHAT IS THE EARLY DISMISSAL SCHEDULE?
When it becomes necessary to dismiss schools early, the Superintendent,
together with school district personnel, determines the dismissal
times. All necessary information is given to each building, local radio
and television stations.
HOW CAN PARENTS BE READY?
Parents should be prepared for an early dismissal by having identified a
procedure for their child to follow in case of an early dismissal. In
the case of an early dismissal, it is requested that parents do not
drive to school to pick up children who normally ride the school buses.
The additional traffic this creates around the schools and on local
roads only makes the safe. transportation of students to their homes
more difficult.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS A SEVERE STORM DURING THE SCHOOL DAY?
A
severe storm could develop unexpectedly during the school day. Despite
an early dismissal, weather conditions and resulting traffic problems
could result in children arriving home past their normal delivery time.
If this type of situation should occur, school district personnel will
continue to monitor the situation until all buses have completed their
routes and returned to the bus lots.
SHOULD I CALL THE SCHOOL FOR CLOSING OR DELAY INFORMATION?
Parents
and students should not telephone the schools or the district office
for information pertaining to the operation of schools on these days.
These calls can delay proper notification of the school staff and
public, and can interfere with the handling of school operations.
Notification will be made via the emergency announcement systema nd the
district website.
WHEN WILL THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF A CHANGE IN SCHOOL OPERATION BE MADE?
Announcements concerning changes in school operations will usually be
broadcast using our emergencty announcement system by 5:30 AM for
closings and as soon as possible if schools are dismissed early. To
prevent unauthorized statements concerning the operation of the public
schools,, radio and television stations have established a code system
which must be used in notifying the communications media of changes in
school operations. Radio and television stations will not accept calls
unless the proper system is used.
If
you have provided the school district with the necessary information,
you will be called by our automated emergency notification system call
system with any change in school operations.