How does Juniata County School District decide to cancel or delay school?
JCSD is always concerned with the safety and well-being of our students and staff. Weather forecasting is particularly challenging. Many factors are taken into consideration when making the decision for JCSD. Planning typically takes place 24 hours prior to a weather event by gathering information from the National Weather Service and our Penn Dot regional coordinator via a webinar, talking to neighboring school districts, and our transportation department. We also are out driving roads before 5:00 AM to check conditions when snow is a factor.
We are a large district, encompassing 374.05 sq. miles, where weather events are inconsistent across the county. For example, weather patterns in the East Waterford area of Juniata County can be quite different from weather patterns in Richfield on any particular day. What one family sees out their window is not necessarily what every family sees or what most families are experiencing.
The district developed guidelines to support the best interests of children in grades K-12. While a small number of students walk to school, most students ride buses. Our ability to get our students safely to and from school is a large factor in making the decision to delay or cancel.
We also need help from parents!
They must make sure that our students are dressed appropriately for the weather. Have back up plans in place for childcare or coverage in case of closings, delays or early dismissals. Download the JCSD app on phones to ensure communication is received. Encourage your student driver to ride the bus when road conditions are potentially hazardous.
General Guidelines
Below are the general guidelines and considerations the district uses when making the decision for a delay or cancellation. It is important to emphasize that every decision is made on a case-by-case basis.
We review the following three factors:
1. Actual temperature
2. Wind chill
3. Real feel
4. Road conditions
Actual temperature:
Temperature is at or below -10 degrees, a delay; higher negative teens or sustained temperatures is at or below -10 may lead to cancellation.
Wind Chill:
Wind chill is at or below -10 degrees, a delay;. If the temperature and wind chill remains lower than -10 degrees throughout the day, a cancellation could occur.
Real Feel:
Real Feel is at or below -10 degrees, delay at minimum. If the temperature remains that low or greater throughout the day, a cancellation could occur.
Based on predictions from the National Weather Service.
When Considering A Delay:
Road conditions are snow covered or icy, but will be safe for travel due to treatment and/or changing weather conditions at the time transportation begins routes.
The weather forecast calls for a temperature of -10 or below, or a wind chill and/or real feel is to be at -10 or below.
The district delays due to wind chill to allow time for the Transportation Department to get the bus fleet inspected and operational, as well as a time for the Facilities Department time to inspect and prepare buildings to open.
Consideration is also given to the increased safety of driving and transporting students during daylight hours.
Blizzard conditions exist that prohibit driving visibility.
Facilities issues exist that can be resolved within a few hours.
The district retains the prerogative to modify the criteria above as deemed necessary
When Considering A Cancellation of School:
Road conditions are snow-covered or icy and are not anticipated to be safe to travel prior to mid-morning.
The weather forecast calls for a temperature of -10 or below, or a wind chill -10 or below zero.
Blizzard conditions exist that prohibit driving visibility.
Facilities or transportation issues cannot be resolved in time to open school on a delay schedule.
The district retains the prerogative to modify the criteria above as deemed necessary.
In most weather related delays, closures or early dismissals, it is rare that everyone is happy about the final decision. In the end, we keep the safety of our students and staff at the forefront.
Parents and guardians do have the right to make the ultimate decision with regard to whether or not it is safe for their child to attend school when weather circumstances are severe.
When there are delays, closures or early dismissals, JCSD will send notifications out via our website in a variety of ways including but not limited to: voice messages, text messages, notifications on our app, social media and our website. Anyone may download our app to receive district and building specific notifications.