Important Information from Dr. Cook: Inclement Weather – Procedures for School Delays & Cancellations

November 27, 2021

Dear Catskill CSD Community:

As we continue to navigate through effectively facilitating instruction during these uncertain times, I would like to inform you of the procedures that will be used by the District to govern the closing or delay of schools when the weather makes traveling for staff and students dangerous.

The following will be implemented:

Two-Hour Delay – a two-hour delay opening allows for snow removal and traffic clearance after evening snowfall or during relatively light storms. In the event of a two-hour delay, our full day pre-k program will begin at 11:15am and there will be no AM BOCES. Please stay tuned for school messages following a delayed opening announcement in case of worsening conditions warranting school closing.

School Closure – Schools will be closed due to storms severe enough that safe paths to school cannot generally be made. The District has allocated days for weather-related cancellations. We plan to use these days accordingly. The District will make every attempt to not over-utilize the allotted days to preserve Spring Break and / or the Memorial Day weekend.

Early Dismissal – Early Dismissal is done only in the event of an unanticipated emergency. On the occasion when an emergency dismissal is necessary, announcements will be made on television and made using the Blackboard Connect telephone service. The District website will also display these announcements. Utmost caution will be exercised by school staff in the event of an early dismissal.

Please know that in these instances school staff will remain at school until safe travel is provided for all students. Please be sure your family has contingency plans for children sent home due to an early dismissal. During each storm that arises, I begin checking road conditions as early as 3:00am in order to determine the County’s readiness to hold school.

In the case of an anticipated snowstorm, I will make a decision to either delay or cancel school the evening before the storm. If there is a need to wait until the next morning to make a school cancellation decision, then the decision will be made no later than 8:00 a.m. This will help parents to arrange for child care and back up plans. If the schedule is to be altered, I will attempt to make announcements on the television (WRGB Channel 6, WTEN Channel 10, WNYT Channel 13), the Catskill Central School District’s website (https://catskillcsd.org), Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CatskillCSD/), Twitter account (https://twitter.com/catskillcsd), and over the Blackboard Connect telephone service as early as possible. Our judgment in those circumstances will be based on the best information available at that time about road conditions throughout the area. The safety of our students and staff is our top priority.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ronel Cook
Superintendent of Schools

2-hour delay schedules

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