Central Bucks Releases School Closing Guidance Ahead Of Winter Storm

DOYLESTOWN, PA — With a major winter storm forecast to impact the area from Sunday into Monday, the Central Bucks School District has released guidance to the community to assist teachers, staff members, families, and students plan ahead for a potential impact on school schedules next week.

"At this time, we plan to operate normally next week," the school district announced Thursday morning. "We will continue to monitor conditions and will communicate any school closures, Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs), or other schedule changes through our usual channels. This message is meant to support advance planning."

Snow Day and Flexible Instructional Days

If weather conditions require school buildings to close, the first closure would be a traditional “snow day.” Since the district has not used a snow day this year, Monday, Jan. 26, would be a snow day if schools need to close.

Any closures after the first snow day would be Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs), according to the district. Full details about how FIDs work at the elementary and secondary levels are available on the district's website by clicking here.

Important Reminder: Take Devices Home

All students, teachers, and staff members should take their district-issued devices (and chargers) home on Friday, Jan. 23, to be prepared should one or more Flexible Instructional Days be needed.

Important Information For Elementary Schools

Out of an abundance of caution, the district is planning ahead for its youngest learners by sending reminders and devices home on Friday, Jan. 23.

• K–2: Charged iPads will be sent home without chargers.
• Grades 3–6: Students will be reminded to take home their laptops and chargers.
• Students and families are and will be reminded to find their FID bags and walk through the process of what a FlD would look like if it were to occur next week or at any time in the future.

Important Information for High and Middle Schools

There will be specific secondary schedule adjustments if the weather impacts school next week, the district said. Currently, Tuesday, Jan. 27, is scheduled as the end of the second marking period for secondary schools and an early dismissal for all secondary students (grades 7–12).

Regardless of the number of closures needed, the first day back to school will be the Final Exam Day 2 schedule for the district's high schools and a full day for the middle schools. This applies even if school is closed on Monday, Jan. 26, but open on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The second day back to school will be the end of the marking period and an early dismissal schedule for both high schools and middle schools.

The second semester will then begin on the third day back to school.

For example:

If school buildings need to close on Monday, Jan. 26, and on Tuesday, Jan. 27, due to the weather, Wednesday, Jan. 28, would be the Final Exam Day 2 schedule for the high schools and a full day for the middle schools. Thursday, Jan. 29, would be the end of the marking period and early dismissal for the high schools and middle schools. Friday, Jan. 30, would be the start of the new semester and a full day for all secondary students.

Should this scenario occur, the district would adjust marking periods to closely align days in the marking period.

"We are sharing this information now to help teachers, staff members, families, and students plan and to provide clarity should adjustments become necessary," the district said. "Thank you for your patience and flexibility as we prioritize safety while maintaining continuity of learning. We hope forecasts for less snow end up being the right ones."

For a complete rundown by Patch on the weekend winter storm, click here.