Emergency Closing Policies and Procedures
School Closings
Once the School Calendar has been officially adopted by the Board of Education, Emergency School Closing Days. It is the policy of the district to have the schools in operation full time every day provided for in the calendar. Occasionally, there will be good reason to shorten the school day, not to open school on a particular day or to make some other emergency alteration in the schedule. Some reasons for school closing include:
1. Severe storms
2. Plant failures
3. Extraordinary staff projects
4. Energy problems
5. Death of a prominent person
6. Direction from the State Department of Education
7. Other unforeseen emergency reasons
It is most essential in such abnormal situations that telephone lines not be blocked by a flood of inquiring calls. Telephone lines and attending personnel should be allowed to handle the essential tasks of dealing with the emergency situation. The safety and welfare of many people depend on your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
We emphasize that, except when we find it impossible or unwise to open school on a scheduled school day, schools will be open. It will be the responsibility of parents to determine whether the health conditions of their children or weather conditions are such as to justify keeping them home.
Closing Within A School Day
In case an unanticipated serious storm strikes during the school day, we will try to keep the schools open until the regular closing hours. If conditions require us to dismiss pupils earlier, every reasonable effort will be made by our staff to advise responsible adult members of the household, transportation services and police. Occasionally, a planned professional activity of the staff will require an early dismissal of pupils. Well in advance of the early closing day, the school administration will notify pupils, parents, bus and taxi services and the police department so that necessary arrangements for the early dismissal can be made.
Emergency School Closing Days
When emergency storm or other conditions make it impossible or unwise to open schools on a scheduled school day, this decision will be made by the Superintendent of Schools and communicated to all interested parties via radio. On mornings when you have a question about school opening, please tune in on radio stations NJ101.5 (FM 101.5 on your dial) or WBUD (AM 1260 on your dial) as early as 6:30 a.m. School closings will also be announced on Cranford's local access channel TV35.
Delayed School Openings
If the decision is made to have a delayed opening rather than closing schools completely due to snow or other conditions, all schools will open at 9:50 a.m. Instruction will begin at 9:55. Announcements will be made on Radio Stations NJ101.5, WBUD, and TV35 just as "Schools Closed" announcements are made.
