School ClosingsOur staff understands that our decision to open, delay or close schools due to inclement weather has a significant effect on families. We understand that our students are better served by being in school; but, as always, our top priority is the safety of our students. Please remember the Owen J. Roberts School District is 110 square miles and we also must bus non-public school students up to ten miles beyond our boundaries in all directions.
Beginning in the 2011-2012 school year, AM and PM kindergarten sessions will follow a modified schedule on days when inclement weather results in a 2-hour delayed opening. Parents are asked to make note of the change in the mid-day pick-up and drop-off times on days when there is a 2-hour delayed opening.
Modified Kindergarten Schedule
AM Kindergarten: 10:30 am – 12:15 pm
PM Kindergarten: 1:15 pm – 3:05pm
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do we make weather related school closing or delay decisions?
Our decision process begins at approximately 4:00 a.m. with a careful analysis of all relevant factors such as:
information on road conditions from our transportation, maintenance staff, bus contractor, and various individuals throughout the District who are out on the roads. We must give consideration to the most dangerous roads in the District and the condition of roads outside the District which we must travel as we transport our special needs and non-public school students. Even if your street looks clear, travel elsewhere in the District may be dangerous. Amount of snow and ice accumulated. We look at whether the precipitation is continuing, building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat) and weather predictions. We prefer not making our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate. However, especially in the case of large storms with planned arrivals in the morning hours, this may be unavoidable. We also share and receive information with other local districts and check whether they are opening or closing. This is necessary for our students who attend other schools.
information on road conditions from our transportation, maintenance staff, bus contractor, and various individuals throughout the District who are out on the roads. We must give consideration to the most dangerous roads in the District and the condition of roads outside the District which we must travel as we transport our special needs and non-public school students. Even if your street looks clear, travel elsewhere in the District may be dangerous. Amount of snow and ice accumulated. We look at whether the precipitation is continuing, building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat) and weather predictions. We prefer not making our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate. However, especially in the case of large storms with planned arrivals in the morning hours, this may be unavoidable. We also share and receive information with other local districts and check whether they are opening or closing. This is necessary for our students who attend other schools.
Who makes the decision?
Ultimately, the Superintendent is responsible for the final decision based on the above factors and a recommendation from the Coordinator of Transportation, the Facilities Coordinator, and phone conversations with other superintendents and administrators in Chester County from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
How is the public notified?
Student families and staff members will receive a telephone message and an email message via our Skylert System. Check the District’s website (www.ojrsd.com) for information or call the switchboard at (610) 469-5100 to listen to the recorded message. Our website and the switchboard are updated promptly once the decision is made.
Tune into local television and radio stations for up-to-date information about school closings.
Our school closing number is 857. School closing information can be found on:
How is the public notified?
Student families and staff members will receive a telephone message and an email message via our Skylert System. Check the District’s website (www.ojrsd.com) for information or call the switchboard at (610) 469-5100 to listen to the recorded message. Our website and the switchboard are updated promptly once the decision is made.
Tune into local television and radio stations for up-to-date information about school closings.
Our school closing number is 857. School closing information can be found on:
- WPVI (Channel 6)
- WCAU (Channel 10)
- WTXF-TV (Fox29TV)
- KYW (1060 AM/CBS 3)
- WFMZ (100.7 FM/Channel 69)
- WEEU (830 AM)
- WCHE (1520 AM)
- WJBR (99.5 FM)
We make the decision by 5:00 a.m. at the latest so we can notify radio and TV stations, notify our bus drivers and staff, send the Skylert message and post the decision on our website. Our Skylert message system is activated as early as possible to accomodate those with early school departure times.
Will we close school if conditions worsen?
Once the decision to begin school at it’s regularly schedule time is made, it is difficult to reverse the decision in the morning without endangering students. Many parents rely on the decision and leave for work. Should we then send students right back home, many will return to unsupervised bus stops and empty houses. We continue to monitor the weather and road conditions throughout the day and if they get worse during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal. It is for these reasons that we will always err on the side of caution and close the schools before we place children and parents in this type of situation. Please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives if the weather conditions worsen.
Hopefully this explanation helps everyone understand the process that our staff uses to make the best possible decision for everyone in our District. As always, we all hope for a mild winter with few occasions when we have to put this process in place.
Hopefully this explanation helps everyone understand the process that our staff uses to make the best possible decision for everyone in our District. As always, we all hope for a mild winter with few occasions when we have to put this process in place.
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