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.