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    School Closing/Delayed Opening Information

    WHO IS WATCHING THE WEATHER?

    The superintendent and administrative staff carefully watch the weather conditions during seasons of possible inclement weather.


    WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION?

    Our school district monitors national weather service via broadcast and internet. We also contact the local law enforcement about road conditions. The Bergenfield Police Department provides us with a report on the road conditions from officers who are out on patrol. This report is typically secured between 4:30am and 5:30am. In making our decision, we must give careful consideration to the condition of local streets as well as the sidewalks and crossings around the community.


    WHAT FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING
    THE DECISION TO CLOSE SCHOOL?

    The safety of all Bergenfield's children is our primary concern in making our decision. In deciding whether children will be safe, we look at the following factors:
    • Information on road conditions from the director of building and grounds and from law enforcement, including whether roads are icy;
    • Time snow or ice starts and the amount;
    • Weather predictions;
    • Building conditions (e.g., whether schools have power and heat);
    • Parking lot conditions;
    • Temperature and wind-chill.


    WHO MAKES THE DECISION?

    The superintendent of schools is responsible for the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the district staff.


    SCHOOL CLOSING/DELAYED OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS

    In the event Bergenfield Public Schools are closed or have a delayed opening, an announcement will be made using the following media outlets.

    Website:
    Bergenfield Public School District website - www.bergenfield.org.

    Social Media:
    Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BergenfieldSD
    Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BergenfieldSD

    Radio:
    880 WCBS (880 AM)
    1010 WINS (1010 AM)

    TV Stations:
    Cablevision - New 12 New Jersey
    NBC
    FOX
    ABC

    We request that you do not call the police department for school closing information. These lines must be kept clear for emergencies.




    DELAYED OPENING OF SCHOOLS

    The purposes of a delayed opening of schools are:
    • to allow time for a change in weather conditions which have been forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS);
    • to allow DPW crews to clear more streets and roads;
    • to allow our staff to clear parking lots and walkways;
    • to allow staff, some of whom travel long distances from rural areas, to travel on cleared roads; and

    Should it become necessary and appropriate to delay the opening times of our schools, the following plan will provide guidelines for the operation of a "delayed opening day":

    DECISION: Will be made by 5:30 A.M. by the Superintendent
    on the basis of information received from:
    - U.S. Weather Service
    - Bergenfield P.D. and/or DPW
    - Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds
    - Superintendents of area school systems
    The Superintendent will inform Bergenfield P.D. and will start the notification system.

    *** CAUTION: DELAYED OPENING COULD CHANGE TO A CLOSING ***

    The most common reason for a "delayed opening" of school is that the inclement weather which exists between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. is likely to improve and clear by mid-morning. Therefore, IF THE WEATHER DOES NOT IMPROVE and/or IF, BY 7:15 A.M., THE ROADS ARE NOT CLEARED ENOUGH to be able to provide staff with a SAFE trip to school and students with a SAFE walk to school, the Superintendent will change the decision from "DELAY" to "CLOSED FOR THE DAY." That decision would be made by the Superintendent on the basis of information received from: U.S. Weather Service, Bergenfield P.D. and/or DPW, Supervisor of Bldgs. and Grounds, Area School Superintendents.

    DELAYED OPENING SCHEDULE:
    Preschool AM (Lincoln School) - 10:00am - 12:10pm
    Preschool PM (Lincoln School) - 12:55pm - 3:05pm
    Elementary Schools - 10:00am - 3:10pm
    RWB Middle School - 9:55am - 2:50pm
    Bergenfield High School - 10:00am - 3:00 pm
    Alternative School - 10:00am
    Tri Valley Program - Elementary & High School 10:00am, RWB Middle School 9:55am
    * All before-school programs will be cancelled
    ** Staff will be asked to report at 9:45am