Seeing the first snowflakes of the season over Thanksgiving break reminded us to make our Watervliet families and staff aware of the district’s winter-weather emergency procedures and how we will communicate school closings or delays.

While it is important to us to be open for school every day, our priority is student safety. There are times when it is too unpredictable to make a full closing decision in the early morning hours. Road conditions can vary as temperatures change and plows clear the roadways.

If it appears that students cannot be transported safely to school at the usual time in the morning, but that the weather will allow a safe dismissal in the afternoon, the district may call for a two-hour delay to start the school day. When there is a two-hour delay, the bus will arrive two hours later than the usual pickup time. There may be times when a 2-hour delay turns into a full snow day.

Families and staff will be notified via text and email through ParentSquare. Announcements about closings and delays are also posted on our district website or online at the Times Union school closings/delays website, and on TV.