Inclement Weather Message 2025-26 School Year

In much the same manner as everyone else, Parkland School District learns about approaching weather conditions from weather apps and forecasters.  Once a weather alert occurs, our Transportation, Facilities and Operations Departments begin to make necessary preparations.  Likewise, Principal and teachers plan for the possibility that a Flexible Instructional Day (FID) might be required. 

During the school day on a FID, students will have lessons and work to complete remotely.  Teachers will notify students of the day’s schedule via Schoology. Attendance will be taken based on participation in a virtual session and/or submission of assignments on the FID. Teachers will be available via email and Schoology during regular school hours on a Flexible Instruction Day.  

Plan for Potential Inclement Weather that May Require a FID

If the weather front is occurring in the evening or overnight, Transportation will have a couple of drivers out at about 4 AM.  First, they will check those roads that are typically most problematic.  From north to south, our school district spans 75 square miles and varies greatly in road and weather conditions.  At the same time, we will be speaking with the municipalities and PennDOT about plowing/cindering/salting schedules.  We also speak to key personnel in surrounding school districts to ascertain any information that may be helpful.

Typically, by 5 AM, we have gathered enough information to discuss our plans for the day.  This information is coupled with our knowledge of Parkland School District demographics:

• Weather conditions vary greatly across the district
• We have in excess of 1,000 bus stops
• Our buses will travel in excess of 8,000 miles during a school day
• Our buses will be operating within the typical traffic flow
• Many of our bus stops may be affected by snow plowing
• Our Grounds Department will need time to plow parking lots and clear walkways

Based upon all the data we collect about weather and road conditions, the Superintendent typically makes a decision about whether or not we can hold in-person learning by 5:30 AM.  The radio and television stations will be notified, and key personnel are called. We use our rapid notification system to send staff and parents a personal phone call, email and/or text message with the alert. Information is also posted on this website and all of the District's social media handles (Facebook, Instagram and X). If your contact information has changed, please notify your child's school office as soon as possible. 

On most of these occasions, we will make ONE decision early in the morning and that will be the FINAL decision for the day.  We believe this is easiest for most parents to make plans for the day. Once in a great while, the timing of a weather event is such that buying a little extra time with a delay MIGHT allow us to safely open school.  In these rare events, the message will state that we will provide an update by a certain time.  The same means of communication will be used to provide an update when necessary. 

Please remember - it is the responsibility of parents/guardians to make arrangements for the care of your children in the event that we need to close or delay our schools for weather or any other potential emergency situation. 

This information is being shared to provide you with some insight into what happens behind the scenes during bad weather events in Parkland.  Please know that student safety is the central focus of this exercise.  Entrusted with the safety of thousands of students, we will always err on the side of caution in making weather-related decisions.  No decision is more important.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING!   Let’s hope for a mild winter and an early spring!

Inclement Weather Guidelines for Transportation

The following rules apply to bus service supplied by Parkland.

• If Parkland School District buildings are closed – No transportation will be provided to any school, public, private or parochial.
• If Parkland School District opens 2 hours late – All bus transportation will be 2 hours late even if your school (public, private, or parochial) is running on a normal time schedule. If your student needs to be at school at the regular time, you need to provide your own transportation.
• If Parkland School District is operating on a normal schedule, but your school is not – All buses will run on a normal schedule but the district will attempt to honor your delay schedule.
• Afternoon transportation will be normal on days that Parkland Schools open late.
• In the event Parkland School District decides to close buildings early because of deteriorating weather conditions, public school parents will be notified by the Rapid Notification System. If you are a private or parochial parent, your school will be notified and they in turn will notify you.  If we have your contact information on file, we will also attempt to notify you. PSD will attempt to update families on early closings due to inclement weather in the event transportation is delayed.