SCHOOL CLOSINGS

It is imperative that parents discuss and review with their children what they are to do in the event of an early school dismissal. Each child should know exactly where to go. Baby-sitters should be made aware of your plans as well. A form will be sent home for parents to complete regarding early school closing.

It is also extremely important for parents to listen to radio or to television when there is inclement weather. Please do not call and ask school personnel to make personal arrangements for your child. Also, please do not call the school, as we have no more information and often are busy trying to accommodate occurrences that result from the emergency. Parents are to make arrangements with their children/sitters ahead of time.

Whenever decisions are made to modfy the entire system's school hour schedules, the following television and redio stations will be notified:

When schools must be opened later than usual or closed early because of weather or other emergency conditions, announcements will be made on area radio and television stations.  The Superintendent of Schools generally makes decisions concerning early morning school closings or late openings by 5:15 AM. An announcement is then provided to 38 radio stations and 8 television stations in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The goal is to contact the stations in time for early morning broadcasts, which begin between 5:30 and 6:00 AM. This information may also be accessed on the school system’s web page at http://www.pgcps.org and http://www.schools-out.com/princecounty.shtml.

Comcast cable channel 96 will run a continuous "crawl" message about closings and delayed openings no later than 6:00 AM and the following television and radio stations will also post notifications:

	Television: WTTG-TV, WJLA-TV, WRC-TV, WUSA-TV
	Radio: WRC, WTOP, WEAM, WAVA, WASH, WGAY, WPGC, WINX, WJMD, WMZQ, WOOK.

After 6:00 AM, staff and parents can also access the school system’s Voice Mail Bulletin Board by calling (301)952-6000.  Wait for the opening message, then press the number 9.  A recorded message will indicate delayed openings or school closings.

Decisions regarding early dismissal when schools close at half-day or one or two hours early are also communicated to area radio and television stations for broadcast. During emergency weather conditions, parents should monitor the weather reports on television or radio and listen for announcements concerning school operations.

When schools are closed early or all day, all evening activities are cancelled, and school buildings are not available for after-school activities by other public or private organizations.