School Closings & Delays Procedures | Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Skip to main content

School Closings & Delays Procedures

Safety is our #1 priority when a conversation about closing or delaying school takes place.

 

The decision must take into consideration early morning conditions as well as projections for the rest of the day. And because the district is large—135 square miles!—those conditions can vary greatly from north to south. State regulations do not allow us to close some schools and keep others open. So, while the weather may not affect everyone, the decision to delay or close our schools does. 

 

*As part of the new Indiana law HB-1093, schools are limited to three days of eLearning.  P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with P-H-M Administration to plan for the 2023-2024 school year.  Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation will use, if warranted, three weather related days as needed throughout the year.  If additional makeup days are required, they will be added to the end of the school year calendar after the tentative last day of school May 31, 2024.  Principals will communicate with parents eLearning expectations and possible calendar adjustments throughout the year.  

 

Click to see how, when and what factors into our decision makings for 2-hour delays and closings. Please also watch the video below ...

 

How is the decision made to delay or close schools?

A network of people are involved in gathering information, often starting at 4:30 a.m. or earlier. Designated staff members drive the roads in the north and south and central parts of the district, others confer with local law enforcement and road crews, some are responsible for checking in with neighboring school districts, while others study the weather forecasts.

 

Based on all available information provided by staff and other resources, the Superintendent makes the final determination.

 

While it’s a rare occurrence, authorities sometimes declare a state of emergency or impose road closures which require the district to close. In these cases, the decision is made for us!

 

What factors into the decision?

Safety is the number one priority for P-H-M. This requires us to consider current conditions, as well as projections for the rest of the day. A primary concern is that roadways be safe and passable by both cars and buses throughout the day. When it comes to snow removal, subdivisions and cul-de-sacs can be especially challenging, and drifting snow often presents a problem in the rural areas. Of course, fog and ice are treacherous for all.

 

Timing is also a consideration. It can take several hours to clear and de-ice the sidewalks and parking lots at 20 school and service buildings throughout the district before staff and students can arrive. 

 

P-H-M Administration also follows a decision making process when considering closings or delays on cold winter weather mornings. Please click here for information.

 

When to delay and when to close?

Either way, we are very aware how families’ schedules and daycare arrangements are affected! A two-hour delay may be called when indications are that the weather conditions will improve shortly.

 

Please note parents should not drop off students when school is delayed or canceled for any reason until approved scheduled times.  School buildings remain locked until they are scheduled to open.

 

Ultimately the responsibility of deciding whether to send children to school or keep them home rests with parents. If you deem conditions are not safe, and choose to keep your child home when school is in session, you must contact the school that day and the absence will be marked excused.  


Here’s what parents need to know to prepare for closings or delays:

 

Kids Club, our before and after school child care program for elementary students, opens at 6:30 a.m. We have staggering start times for elementary, middle and high school. Therefore, it becomes necessary to notify all parents of a delay or closing no later than 6:00 a.m.

 

NOTIFICATION

  • The notification process is designed to let all members of our community know no later than 6:00 a.m.

  • School Messenger, an automated phone calling, texting and emailing service. It is our primary means of notification PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE for steps on how to update your contact information & set your notification preferences in the parent portal InfoCenter. Please note that parents cannot select the option not to receive a phone call; parents can only select not to receive a text message or email. Parents can change their options to receive text messages or emails as many times as they wish. To update your phone number and email address, please contact your child(ren)’s school(s). You will not be able to change it in School Messenger.

  • These local broadcast television stations are informed: ABC 57, WNDU and WSBT.

  • The announcement is also posted on the District’s website, Facebook, and Twitter

 

TWO-HOUR DELAY SCHEDULE

 

SCHOOL CLOSING

  • When schools are closed, after-school and evening activities are also canceled
  • Coaches and sponsors will make announcements about rescheduling their events
  • Kids Club does not operate, morning or afternoon, on days when school has been canceled

eLEARNING
 

*As part of the new Indiana law HB-1093, schools are limited to three days of eLearning.  P-H-M Teachers Association worked collaboratively with P-H-M Administration to plan for the 2023-2024 school year.  Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation will use, if warranted, three weather related days as needed throughout the year.  If additional makeup days are required, they will be added to the end of the school year calendar after the tentative last day of school May 31, 2024.  Principals will communicate with parents eLearning expectations and possible calendar adjustments throughout the year.  

 

Click here for more information on how you and your student will access eLearning lessons.

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