Options for Inclement Weather Notification

HAGERSTOWN, MD (December 8, 2005) – During inclement weather situations, the Public Information Office (PIO) of the Washington County Public Schools presents a number of options for parents, students, and the community to gain information regarding school delays or closings, and other updates involving facilities and event schedules. School system officials make a decision on closing schools or delaying the start of the school day, between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m., but timelines may vary because of quickly changing conditions. When the delay or closure decision is made, information is distributed to local and regional radio and television stations, posted on the home page and the Delays/Closings page of the WCPS website www.wcboe.k12.md.us, posted on Antietam Cable Channel 99, and updated by WJEJ Radio on their Weather Phone, at 301-797-9797. Another option provided by the PIO is a broadcast email sent to those people who have registered to receive a Closing/Delay email. Individuals can register for those emails on the website: http://www.wcboe.k12.md.us/content/email_updates.cfm

When a 2-hour delay and modified kindergarten schedule are implemented, morning pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students go to school 2 hours later and are dismissed 1 hour later. Students in afternoon pre-kindergarten and kindergarten go to school 1 hour later and are dismissed at their regular time.