Emergency Closing and Delayed Opening
Who makes this decision and when?
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Antoinette Rath makes the final decision at approximately 5 a.m. on days when we have had snow or inclement weather throughout the night. School closing announcements start as early as 6 a.m. and are repeated frequently.
What factors are reviewed in making a closure or delay decision?
Dr. Rath monitors the national weather station and receives reports from county and township sources. She consults with administrators from surrounding school districts, especially those within the Lenape Region. Extreme cold at bus stops, ice or snow accumulation on neighborhood roadways and the condition of our buildings, such as availability of heat and electric, are all factors in the decision-making process.
Where can we find information on closure and delays?
If adverse weather conditions cause a delayed opening, interruption or cancellation of school, notice will immediately be posted on our main web page and sent to radio and television stations for announcement. The central office recorded message service also will carry announcements of school closing or delayed openings. The message service number is 235-3387. Area radio stations and Lenape Regional High School's educational cable television station, Channel 19, will also carry up-to-the-minute announcements.
What if school is not closed or delayed?
If in the opinion of a parent, weather conditions are adverse and there has been no emergency closing announcement, parents should use their own judgment as to the advisability of sending their child to school.
What if inclement weather occurs after schools are in session?
If a severe storm should begin during the hours school is in session, an effort will be made to dismiss schools early enough to allow children to reach home prior to the time road conditions become too hazardous. When schools are closed early due to inclement weather, Extended Day Care will also be closed. When is a Delayed Opening utilized?
In order to allow school to remain open on days when weather conditions are poor in the early morning hours, a two-hour delayed opening schedule has been developed. In the event of a two-hour delay, lunch will be available for purchase. Schedule for Two-Hour Delayed Opening:
Countryside & Fleetwood
Grades 1 - 4: 10:30 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Kindergarten: AM: 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. / PM: 12:25 p.m. - 2:55 p.m.
Hillside, Larchmont, Parkway & Springville
Grades 1 - 4: 11 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Kindergarten: AM: 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. / PM 12:55 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.
Mount Laurel Hartford School
Grades 5 - 6: 10 a.m. - 2:35 p.m.
Harrington Middle School
Grades 7 - 8: 9:30 a.m. - 2:05 p.m.
In the event of a two-hour delayed opening, regularly scheduled transportation will be delayed accordingly. For example, a child regularly scheduled to be picked up at 7:45 a.m. would be picked up at 9:45 a.m.
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