Sample Letter For Principals printable pdf download

Principals

Sample Letter for

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Winter weather emergencies, such as snow and ice, may cause disruptions in school operations, including

the closure of school, a delayed opening, or an early dismissal. This letter provides information about the

procedures used when such disruptions occur.

Information also is provided about the weather

contingency plan that would add student instructional days to the end of the scheduled school year if

schools are closed for more than four days due to excessive weather emergencies.

Closure of School

When schools are closed systemwide, all instructional programs and extracurricular activities in schools

are canceled. Private day-care providers in school buildings may elect to stay open if the schools are

closed but the administrative offices are open. In extreme conditions, administrative offices also may be

closed. If this occurs, private day-care programs located in school buildings are closed as well.

Delayed Opening

A delayed opening means that schools open two hours later than scheduled. All buses operate on the

same delayed schedule and, therefore, the pick-up times are two hours later than normal.

When

elementary schools open on a delayed schedule, the following programs are canceled--Morning sessions

of half-day Head Start, prekindergarten, and other specialized programs or field trips scheduled before

10:30 a.m.; e.g., the Thomas Edison High School of Technology morning session. Activities that begin

after 10:30 a.m. will be held as scheduled. Afternoon sessions of prekindergarten begin at the regular

time. Full day Head Start follows the same schedule as other full day programs. Parents should continue

to check for radio, television, or Web announcements in the event a decision to delay the opening of

schools is reconsidered and a decision to close schools for the day is made (by 7:00 a.m.).

Early Dismissal

An early dismissal means that schools will close 2.5 hours earlier than scheduled. All buses operate on

that same early schedule and, therefore, drop-off times are 2.5 hours earlier than normal.

When

elementary schools close early, afternoon pre-kindergarten and other early childhood programs are

canceled, as well as any special programs or field trips scheduled after 10:30 a.m.

Morning

prekindergarten and morning half day Head Start students will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m. All day Head

Start classes will dismiss with regular kindergarten through Grade 5 students.

Public Announcements

Information about school operations is announced publicly as soon as possible on area radio and television

stations, Montgomery County Public Schools Cable TV (Comcast Channel 34, Verizon FIOS Channel 36,

RCN Channel 89), Outlook, on the Internet at , and on a recorded

telephone message at 301-279-3673. Emergency e-mail announcements are available by signing up for

MCPS QuickNotes on the school system’s home page.

If schools are closed or delayed, the

announcement is made no later than 5:00 a.m. (or the night before if possible). If schools are closing

early, the announcement is made by 11:00 a.m.

Sample Letter For Principals