BVA reminds families about winter procedures

The district explained how it determines when to use a Remote Learning day.

Belle Vernon Area School District, in its monthly newsletter, reminded families what to do during the winter months, as inclement weather can close schools.

The district outlined its process for determining whether to have a 2-hour delay, a full school cancellation or a remote learning day.

“The decision to close or delay school is never easy,” the district stated. “It is a careful evaluation of several variables that involves many individuals. Our primary objective is to ensure that students can safely travel to their bus stops and our buses can navigate the roads carefully.

“Each weather occurrence is unique and a delay, closure, or Remote Learning depends on several variables such as road conditions/ maintenance, weather timing, power, heat, and internet outages.”

On the morning of a day with inclement weather, district officials are in contact with municipal leaders to discuss road conditions, police and emergency calls, and to learn about the progress of snow removal in the area. The district added that it subscribes to several region-specific weather reporting agencies, including NOAA and the National Weather Service.

The district will also have some employees who will drive on the roads between 4:45 and 6 a.m. to help make a decision.

Decisions on whether to delay or close and declare a Remote Learning Day are made at 5:30 a.m. on days with inclement weather. If the district has already issued a delay, it will decide whether to close school and issue a Remote Learning Day at 7 a.m.

“Once a determination is made, we simultaneously report delays, cancellations and Remote Learning Days via local media, our website, district social media platforms, and our emergency notification system,” the district stated. “If school is canceled/closed all students will implement the predetermined Remote Learning Day procedures.”

School bus and van drivers participate in a training program that includes preparation for driving in inclement weather and adverse conditions. The district added that drivers conduct a daily pretrip inspection of their vehicles before they go on their route.

The district said families should still practice caution even if schools decide to stay open during the winter. Students should be properly dressed for the winter weather, especially as they wait for their transportation in the morning.

“As the weather gets colder, the temptation to wait inside until the bus gets there is stronger,” the district said. “Please remember, when we wait on your student to run out of the house to get to the bus, the bus falls behind on the route and it forces all of the other students on that route to wait in the cold.”

For more information about winter weather procedures in the district, visit the BVA website at https:// www.bvasd.net.