Closings/Delays
When bad weather threatens, here are some resources to keep you informed about closings and delays in the Armstrong School District.
Please visit ARIN's SchoolCast to get information online at http://iu28.org/schoolcast/.
Or you may tune in to any of the following TV stations which have agreed to announce Armstrong School District closings and delays:
TV Stations
KDKA Channel 2 Pittsburgh
WPXI Channel 11 Pittsburgh
WTAE Channel 4 Pittsburgh
KDKA Channel 2 Pittsburgh
WPXI Channel 11 Pittsburgh
WTAE Channel 4 Pittsburgh
Social Media
How Closings and Delays Are Decided
The Superintendent or designee makes the final decision regarding all changes in the normal school day schedule. That decision is based on safety first, using the best information available at the time the decision must be made. Standard sources of information include Accu-Weather, the National Weather Service, PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Additionally, input from all five local bus contractors is received after they have driven various roadways in the school district firsthand. This procedure normally begins no later than 4:30 AM so that the Director of Transportation can advise the Superintendent no later than 5:15 AM if a delay or cancellation seems warranted.
The Superintendent also consults with other Armstrong County area school districts. The final decision for the Armstrong School District is reached no later than 5:30 AM to inform media and affected district personnel. Again, safety is the primary consideration in the decision.
If parents remain concerned about the safety of their children after the district’s decision is made, they are encouraged to use their own judgment and to request an excused absence for their child when necessary.
A similar process is used to determine an early dismissal.
A Note about After-School and Evening Sports Activities
In most cases, on days of school closings, after-school and evening school activities and sporting events are postponed until a later date. However, school principals and athletic directors have the discretion to hold games on days of school closings if weather conditions have improved by afternoon/evening.
The Superintendent or designee makes the final decision regarding all changes in the normal school day schedule. That decision is based on safety first, using the best information available at the time the decision must be made. Standard sources of information include Accu-Weather, the National Weather Service, PennDOT, and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Additionally, input from all five local bus contractors is received after they have driven various roadways in the school district firsthand. This procedure normally begins no later than 4:30 AM so that the Director of Transportation can advise the Superintendent no later than 5:15 AM if a delay or cancellation seems warranted.
The Superintendent also consults with other Armstrong County area school districts. The final decision for the Armstrong School District is reached no later than 5:30 AM to inform media and affected district personnel. Again, safety is the primary consideration in the decision.
If parents remain concerned about the safety of their children after the district’s decision is made, they are encouraged to use their own judgment and to request an excused absence for their child when necessary.
A similar process is used to determine an early dismissal.
A Note about After-School and Evening Sports Activities
In most cases, on days of school closings, after-school and evening school activities and sporting events are postponed until a later date. However, school principals and athletic directors have the discretion to hold games on days of school closings if weather conditions have improved by afternoon/evening.