With winter approaching, we would like to remind families about the protocols that have been established for school closings, delays, and early dismissals, as well as the canceling of extra-curricular activities.
In the event that weather impacts the school day in any way, we use several information vehicles to communicate with parents and community members. As a reminder, this information can be found on our website here.
Communication
School closings, delayed openings, and early dismissals resulting from weather conditions or other situations will be provided to the media, posted on Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk website and social media sites, announced through the RCS App, and by phone, email and text. School is open on its usual schedule unless otherwise announced. Our communication channels goes as follows:
Our website: Weather notices are posted right on the homepage at the top
Local media stations and websites: Channel 6, Capital News 9, Channel 10, Channel 13, Fox 23, WFLY (92.3 FM), WGNA (107.7 FM), WGY (810 AM), WYJB (B95.5), WRVE (99.5 FM)
Via Email, Call & Text: The Apptegy notification system depends upon the accuracy of your child's contact information in SchoolTool. If you have changes to phone numbers or email, please inform your child's school as soon as possible.
It is best to rely on more than one information source when inclement weather hits, particularly in situations where there may be power outages.
Closing School for the Entire Day
If it appears that students cannot be transported safely to school or home at the end of the day, Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk schools will not open. If a snow day is called, students [and staff] will not be expected to report to school (remote or otherwise). The district will make every attempt to announce snow days or delays by 5:30 a.m. If the district is closed, all after-school activities will be canceled unless otherwise notified.
Delayed Start of the School Day
When conditions warrant, we may utilize a two-hour delay to the start of the school day. The district will make every attempt to announce delays by 5:30 a.m. When there is a two-hour delay, the bus will arrive 2 hours later than the usual pickup time. When a two-hour delay is called, the district retains the option to close school for the full day. The district will make every attempt to make that decision by 7:30 a.m., and communicate promptly. If no closure is communicated, parents should assume that school will open on the delayed schedule.
Early Dismissal During Inclement Weather
The district’s philosophy is to avoid early dismissal. We do not want parents rushing home on less than ideal roadways and we believe that keeping children at school is often the best way to keep them safe during bad weather. However, in the event that this is necessary, notification will be made as early in the day as possible.
Wind Chills and Cold Temperatures
Severe climate conditions where temperatures and wind chill dip into certain extreme ranges can cause concerns for the safety of children. When wind chills approaching -25 degrees are predicted, the district may be placed on a cold weather alert. When persistent wind chills of -25 degrees or below are predicted, we are likely to delay or close school, consistent with guidance from the New York Statewide School Health Services Center.
Afterschool, Evening Activities & Continuing Education
If students cannot be transported to and from the afternoon and/or evening activities safely, they will be canceled. The district will make every attempt to make the decision about after-school activities by 12:00 p.m. and evening activities by 3:00 p.m. Please note, when school is closed or after-school activities are canceled due to a weather-related or other emergency event, Continuing Education classes will be canceled.