Information Regarding a 3 Hour Delay
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The threat of winter weather is a fact of life here in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Freezing temperatures and unpredictable snow storms can cause road conditions to deteriorate quickly. It is becoming more and more evident that due to the total geographic area that our district encompasses, our current system of school delays, early dismissals, and school cancellations needs an additional upgrade. Thus the Wilkes-Barre Area School District will be implementing a three hour delay immediately to our current listing of possible winter weather related announcements.
Please keep in mind that in using a three hour delay it allows the decision making process to be more accurate concerning possible cancellations, and will allow additional time for local municipalities to properly plow and cinder local roads and boulevards.
3 hour delays mean exactly that. Three hours should be added to the estimate bus arrival time for your child’s A.M. pickup. If the expectation for your child is to be picked up at 7:00 AM, on a regular day, then with the announcement of a 3 hour delay, the bus will arrive at 10 A.M.
The 3 hour delay schedule will be used judiciously in order to supplement our current 2 hour delay system. Please keep in mind that weather conditions can change rapidly especially in higher elevations. Thus a 2 hour delay that was announced during the evening, can turn into a 3 hour delay the next morning. Delays can turn quickly into cancellations as a storm approaches and conditions worsen. So please monitor your local television and radio stations, as well as on line news services for changes that may occur in our district’s school closing status. Our district also provides a Skylert system where parents and guardians can receive up to date changes in our district’s school closing status through personal e-mail, cellphones, or texting. Parents can get in touch with their respective schools in order to receive this free of charge service.
The Wilkes-Barre Area School District prides itself on its commitment to student safety. With the introduction of the 3 hour delay, this additional option helps our district keep our students safe and warm during these difficult winter months.
Thank You,
Dr. Bernard Prevuznak
Posted: Monday, February 2, 2015