Closing & Delay Information

Parents and guardians, as well as staff and community members, can 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 notices from the National Weather Service.  He communicates with the First Student bus garage and the Ohio Township Police Department. Starting as early as 4:00 A.M., Dr. Hadley begins a review of 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 and safe.

• 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 previously stated sources to determine if the weather conditions pose a danger.

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

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

Dr. Hadley makes the final decision no later than 5:30 A.M. The telephone and email notification system, television stations, District website, and social media will notify stakeholders to ensure 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 contact 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, District Instagram, and 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.

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 A.M.  AMS and AHS will begin at 10:00 A.M.

A two-hour delay means that school starts two hours later than the normal starting time.  Please note that your child’s bus pick-up time will also be delayed by two hours.

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

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 released students may arrive at their homes without adult supervision.

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

Parents should give students clear instructions on where to go if their bus will drop them off earlier than usual. Also, be sure your child and the school have been given all current home, work, and mobile numbers if they need to contact you. Please review any emergency weather plans with your child if severe weather is in the forecast.