Closing & Delay Information

Regardless of weather forecasts during evening or morning newscasts, parents and guardians, as well as staff and community members, may find closing or delay information via the following resources:

1. The District’s website – www.avonworth.k12.pa.us
2. The District’s telephone and email notification system, School Messenger
3. TV announcements on KDKA-TV, WTAE-TV, WPXI-TV
4. The Avonworth Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages

Dr. Hadley listens to weather forecasts and reviews National Weather Service notices.  He communicates with the First Student bus garage and the Ohio Township Public Works & Police Departments. Starting as early as 4:00 AM, Dr. Hadley begins reviewing information from these sources. Dr. Hadley will also consult with the Avonworth Building and Grounds Supervisor to ensure that parking lots, sidewalks, and school buildings are prepared to support safe school operations.

• Road conditions
• Operation of school buses
• Weather predictions
• Power, heat, and water in the school buildings
• Parking lot and sidewalk conditions
• Temperature and wind-chill factors

The National Weather Service has produced a Wind Chill Chart that provides information concerning the combination of low temperatures and wind speed to determine wind chill. The chart also delineates the impact of wind chill on frostbite. Generally, Dr. Hadley will use this chart, combined with data from the previously stated sources, to determine whether the weather conditions pose a danger.  (The chart is located below.)

The Avonworth School District may run a two-hour delayed opening or pivot to remote learning.

Dr. Hadley makes the final decision based on the above factors and on input from the Ohio Township Police Department, the Ohio Township road crews, the First Student Bus Garage, and the Avonworth Building and Grounds Supervisor.

The Superintendent makes the final decision no later than 5:30 AM. The telephone and email notification system, television stations, District website, and social media will notify stakeholders so proper planning and schedule adjustments can occur. When possible, a decision may be made and communicated the night before.

The Avonworth School District notifies parents and students via its telephone notification system and email as soon as a decision is made. Please note that the notification system may take several minutes to reach all District parents due to the volume of calls being made simultaneously. Parents are encouraged to monitor their email, District website, District Facebook, District Twitter, and District Instagram, as well as local television stations, for the latest closing/delay information.

The District contacts those phone numbers and email addresses provided by parents at the start of the school year.  If you are not receiving phone calls or emails regarding school closings/delays, please contact the main office in your child(ren)’s school building(s) directly.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education approves the Avonworth School District to provide remote learning if in-person instruction cannot occur due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If buildings are closed due to inclement weather or an unforeseen circumstance, Avonworth School District will pivot to remote learning. 

Instruction will begin two hours later than the normal start of the school day. APC and AES will begin remote instruction at 11:00 AM, and AMS and AHS will begin remote instruction at 10:00 AM.

A two-hour delay means school starts two (2) hours later than usual. Please note that your child's bus pick-up time will also be delayed by two (2) hours.

Severe weather and/or potentially dangerous road conditions occurring at or near the time of afternoon dismissal may require a delayed release of students. Students may be held at school until it is determined that it is safe for school buses to transport students home. If students are to be held at school, the District will make every attempt to contact parents through the District’s telephone notification system.  

The Avonworth School District will not have an early dismissal unless directed explicitly by Emergency Services, Pennsylvania’s Governor’s Office, or Homeland Security. The District does not commonly practice early dismissals because students who are released early may arrive at homes where no adult supervision is present.

The Avonworth School District will contact parents via the District’s telephone and email notification system regarding any early release of students. Updated information will also be posted on the District’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram regarding an early dismissal. Information will also be communicated to KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE.

Parents are asked to have a plan in place in case of an early dismissal. Parents should give students clear instructions on where to go if their bus drops them off earlier than usual. Also, be sure your child and the school have all your current home, work, and mobile numbers in case they need to contact you. Please review any emergency weather plans with your child if severe weather is in the forecast.