Lockport City School District
Emergency Closing Letter: November 2019
Dear Parent/Guardian,
As we begin a new school year, there may be times when the school day needs to be adjusted as a result of an emergency. I want to take this opportunity to update you on the process for closing or delaying school.
The closing of school due to weather related/emergency issues is taken very seriously, with many factors taken into consideration. When monitoring inclement weather conditions and other situations, the action taken may vary. Options may include closing school for the day, delaying the start of school, or releasing students early. The closing/adjustment of the school day will be made as early as possible after each situation has been thoroughly monitored and assessed. Evening activities are typically cancelled when school is closed or there is an early dismissal.
We will continue to implement our global calling system, eAlert system, Facebook, Twitter and website posts to communicate with you, so be sure that the correct contact information is on file in the main office of your child’s school. You should also watch the news stations on your television and/or listen to the radio stations for additional communication. Please refrain from calling your child’s school during emergency situations.
In the event of a delayed start, the following steps will be taken:
- A delayed start is defined as a two (2) hour adjustment. Therefore, bus pick up times will be two hours later than the usual pick up times.
- Lockport High School will begin at 9:40 a.m., Lockport High School West at Charlotte Cross will begin at 10:00 a.m., North Park Junior High School will begin at 10:06 a.m., Emmet Belknap Intermediate School will begin at 10:40 a.m., and Roy B. Kelley, Charles Upson, Anna Merritt, and George Southard Elementary Schools will begin at 11:20 a.m.
- Lockport students who attend a school outside of the Lockport City School District will remain on their normal schedule when the Lockport City School District is delayed but their school is not.
- Lockport High School morning BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) students will be delayed and will report to Lockport High School, not BOCES. Students will be supervised until their afternoon classes begin at Lockport High School.
- Principals will be responsible for adjusting the schedule within their buildings.
- Bagged breakfast will be available for students, while full lunches will be served for students.
- Families with children enrolled in the YMCA and YWCA Before and After School Programs will need to follow the procedures outlined in the YMCA/YWCA parent handbook for delays/closings/early releases.
- The morning session of preschool will be cancelled. The afternoon session will operate as normal.
When weather conditions become poor or an unforeseen event occurs during the school day, it may become necessary to release students early. It is a good idea to establish and often review an emergency plan with your child to follow in the event he/she is at home when a parent or guardian is not present. Please talk with your child(ren) about cold weather safety and check your child’s outerwear during extreme weather conditions.
New York State Education Department law requires a minimum of 180 days of instruction. This year, the district has built in five emergency closing days. If closings exceed the allotted five days, it may be necessary to adjust the calendar using scheduled recess days in order to meet the 180 day requirement. Please be aware of this possibility. A copy of the 2019-20 school calendar is posted on the district website for you to review.
The district will continue to be proactive in our efforts to carefully monitor weather/emergency closing conditions to ensure the safety of our students. The ultimate decision whether or not to send your child to school rests with you, the parent. If, in your personal judgment, you believe it is unsafe to send your child to school, your decision will be accepted and respected.
Thank you for your cooperation with the Lockport City School District when these unusual circumstances occur. I look forward to continue working with you to ensure the safety and success of each child.
Superintendent Michelle T. Bradley
Pride in our Past...Faith in our Future
Website: https://www.lockportschools.org/superintendent
Location: 130 Beattie Avenue, Lockport, NY, USA
Phone: (716) 478-4800
Facebook: facebook.com/LockportCitySchoolDistrict
Twitter: @LockportSupt
We believe: All people can learn. Schools create conditions for success: academically, socially, emotionally, physically and aesthetically. Teaching and learning are the shared responsibility of home, school and community. Our mission is to assure comprehensive learning for all so that each person will be a lifelong learner.