Baldwin-Whitehall: Winter Weather Memo

Press release from the Baldwin-Whitehall School District:

Dec. 6, 2020

Dear Baldwin-Whitehall School Community:

Over the course of the last 9 months we have all seen the negative impact that COVID-19 has had on the routines and processes of our daily life. For once maybe there can be a silver lining, regardless of how very small it may be, in the way COVID-19 will impact the decision to delay or cancel school.

While I realize that we are currently in a full remote situation in which weather delays or cancellations have little impact, we do anticipate returning to hybrid and full in-person options this year necessitating the need for clarity in this area.

The advent of the remote learning model of instruction for the 2020-21 school year has created access to our teachers and classroom at nearly anytime and from anywhere. This means the end of school cancellations related to weather (at least for this school year). In the event that it is determined that in-person instruction is not possible due to weather, the District will shift to a full remote learning model for that school day.

In regard to the delay of school, it will be our preference to have children in school as much as safely possible. So in the event that we can delay the start of a school day to allow conditions to improve, we will choose that model over a shift to a full remote day of learning.

The decision to delay or cancel in-person school is based upon several factors, but ultimately student safety is of utmost importance and concern. Weather is unpredictable and conditions vary throughout our communities. In the event it is necessary to delay in-person school or shift to remote instruction, the District has developed procedures to communicate this information to the public.

Information regarding weather and road conditions is obtained from several weather forecasts, Emergency Management personnel, District transportation and maintenance personnel, community road crews, and (as a resident) first hand evaluation. The decision will generally be made by 6:00 a.m. with evening calls no later than 10:00 p.m. While I realize that the morning notifications are early, especially for elementary aged households, it is critical that the decision and subsequent notifications be made prior to our buses leaving the garage and beginning their high school routes. There may be occurrences due to the nature or timing of inclement weather that the notification would occur after 6:00 a.m. or a delay be changed to a cancellation/shift to remote learning. Normally, if in- person school is cancelled, all evening activities and permits will also be cancelled.

Communications will be sent using the automated notification from the District, otherwise known as the SKYLERT messenger system. Messages are sent out as a "general" message within the system. The SKYLERT system can be customized for the manner in which the message is received (i.e., email, text, and/or phone). Your caller ID will display "Baldwin-Whitehall School District Superintendent's Office" along with the District's main phone number of 412-884-6300. Please update your contact information to ensure the notification system meets your family's individual needs. Additional information regarding the Skylert system can be found on the District website under the "Parents" tab.

While the Skylert system is an excellent way to stay informed of the latest events within the School District, we will also utilize the following information sources for communication of delay or closing information:

• Baldwin-Whitehall School District website (www.bwschools.net)
• Local Media:
  • KDKA TV and www.kdka.com;
  • WPXI TV and www.wpxi.com;
  • WTAE TV and www.wtae.com
• Twitter: @BWSDsuper

The winter season in Pittsburgh can be a wonderful time of year; however the weather can also create harsh conditions that we must all prepare for. There will be times when temperatures are cold and roads may be snow covered but school will be in session. Please make sure children are dressed appropriately for the cold weather.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping all children safe.

Sincerely,

Randal A. Lutz, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

This press release was produced by the Baldwin-Whitehall School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.