- Spring Grove Area School District
- Emergency Notification and Inclement Weather FAQ
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Emergency Notification and Inclement Weather FAQ
Emergency NotificationOur primary method of reaching parents and guardians is the District’s automated messaging system. This is utilized to share information with parents’ or guardians’ home numbers and/or any alternative numbers provided for this purpose.
In addition, school closures, school delays, early dismissals, and late buses will be announced over WGAL TV-8, FOX43, CBS21, and ABC-27. We also use Twitter, Facebook, and email blasts to send important, time-sensitive information.
Please ensure your child's school office has your correct contact information for all communication modes, especially phone numbers and emails.
- Please refrain from calling individual schools, so that phone lines remain open for emergency communications.
- Please Note: If the announcement is for a two-hour school delay, all buses will be delayed two hours respectively.
Inclement Weather FAQ
Deciding to close schools is typically never an easy call for the District to make. Of utmost concern is the safety of our students, which is always the priority in making any decision that impacts families, students, and academics.
- Please refrain from calling individual schools, so that phone lines remain open for emergency communications.
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How is the decision made to close or delay school?
As soon as inclement weather appears in the forecast, SGASD officials begin to carefully monitor the weather projections and prepare for the potentially bad weather.
When meteorologists predict snow or ice that may impact travel, SGASD officials are communicating by 4:00 AM to ascertain current conditions and carefully analyze what the rest of the day may bring. During this time, we are having conversations with multiple authorities and road crews within the District’s townships and boroughs, along with the local police departments.
Status reports from all of these individuals are critical when deciding to delay or close schools. Once all of the information is gathered and the decision is made, SGASD officials begin to disseminate the announcement, usually by 6:00 AM. In the case of a two-hour delay, SGASD officials continue to monitor the forecast for changes in weather conditions that could warrant a switch from a two-hour delay to a school closing.
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How can I found out if SGASD schools are closing or delaying?
A phone message with the appropriate information will be sent out using our District-wide notification system. SGASD inclement weather announcements will also be made through the following outlets:
- www.sgasd.org
- SGASD Facebook
- SGASD Twitter
- WGAL TV-8
- Fox-43
- CBS-21
- ABC-27
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The weather does not seem bad where I live. Why are SGASD schools closed?
SGASD is a large district encompassing about 90 square miles with varying geography. The particular area where you live may not have experienced much precipitation, however, another part of the District may have gotten much worse conditions. The District must take into account the harshest conditions when making the decision to close or delay.
Snow is not the only type of weather to consider. Freezing temperatures and extreme wind chills may make it unsafe for students to be standing outside at bus stops, as well.
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School is in session, but I do not think it's safe to send my child to school. What do I do?
It is always the parent or guardian's final decision on whether to send your child to school. If you feel it is unsafe to send your child to school due to weather conditions, please use your best judgment. Please notify the school of your student's absence and provide a written note as per the Student Parent Handbook.
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What is the bus schedule for a delay or cancelation?
When there is a delay or cancelation, all Spring Grove non-public buses follow the schedule for SGASD. If the District has a two-hour delay, the non-public buses run on a two-hour delay, etc. If during the day, SGASD dismisses early, the non-public buses will run on that schedule.
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Will breakfast be served when there is a delay due to inclement weather?
If there is a school delay due to inclement weather, breakfast will NOT be served.
