With snow falling in Park City this weekend, here is an explanation of Park City School District’s school closure procedures. Parents and staff should become familiar with the guidelines and are encouraged to review them at the start of each winter.
The decision to close school, delay start time, or release students and staff early can only be called by the superintendent to reduce confusion between schools and programs; this includes cancellation of any elementary after school programs.
When school closes early due to weather, all evening activities will be cancelled, with the exception of high school athletics and activities, which will be determined by the superintendent and athletic director. Sometimes there are exceptions to this rule; and we will notify you of these situations as they arise.
By policy, head secretaries and 12-month employees, which includes principals and assistant principals, are expected to report to work as soon as it is safe to do so. This expectation is based upon the issue that we typically have families who do not receive notification and may show up to school. We are NOT obligated to keep students, but need to contact parents or an emergency contact to get them home safely.
The decision to close school for the day or release early is one that is made with much thought and consideration. The administration takes into account many different factors including the safety and well being of our students and staff. We look at the weather conditions, precipitation and temperature, based on information gathered from the National Weather Service (NWS), local road conditions provided by UDOT and discussion with the city and county transportation officials.
In the event that inclement or extreme weather warrants school closing, delay start or an early release, the following will occur:
Cancellation/Early Release of School: Parents will be notified as early in the morning as possible, often by 6:00 a.m., through the use of PCSD Chat and the local news media.
Early release from school will be determined as early in the day as possible based on information gathered from The National Weather Service.
Closings and Early Releases will be posted on the following media outlets:
–PCSD Website
–PCSD Facebook & Twitter
–PCTV
–KPCW Radio
Delayed Start
In the case of a two-hour delayed start, morning preschool would be cancelled; afternoon preschool would be held. Staff would be expected to be on time and ready to work. As for food service, breakfast would NOT be served, but lunch would be provided.
This is the process going forward:
For a snow day where school is canceled, 12-month employees are required to report to work as soon as it is safe to do so.
For an early release, the decision to close school or release early due to the weather is made by the superintendent in consultation with the administrative team, and UDOT. The safety and well being of our students and staff is at the forefront of the decision. All staff are required to remain at their work location until all students have been picked up or until released by the superintendent.
For a late start where the start of school is delayed by an hour or two, employees would come in at the later time — so a two hour delay, employees come in two hours later.
In the case of a two-hour delay, morning preschool would be cancelled; afternoon preschool would be held. Staff would be expected to be on time and ready. As for food service, breakfast would NOT be served, but lunch would be provided.In most cases employees will be working their normal duties once they arrive at their work locations, although they may be asked to help out at schools with other duties if needed.