Inclement Weather Policies & Procedures

This page includes some information/reminders regarding Park’s policies and procedures for Delayed Openings and School Closures due to inclement weather — or unforeseen circumstances.

Please know that the school’s primary concern is always for the safety of our students, families, and staff. Therefore, the final decision about coming to school or staying in school in inclement weather is yours. Assessments of the weather, the weather forecast, and road conditions all factor into the school’s decision to delay opening or to close school. These assessments take place across a broad geographical area, and conditions in your neighborhood or on your route to/from school may differ from the rest of the region. If you are concerned that it is not safe for you or your child to be on the road, please do not hesitate to stay home.

NOTIFICATION

  • Website
    Information about the delayed opening or closure of school because of inclement weather will be posted on Park’s website www.parkschool.net by 6 a.m. (To be sure you see the most up-to-date information, refresh the page after accessing the site.)
  • Email
    An email will be sent to parents’ primary addresses. (Please make sure Veracross reflects your correct email address.)
  • Text Message
    In the event of delayed openings and school closures, the school will send a text message to the SMS-enabled mobile phones we have listed in Veracross. 
  • Weather Line
    A recorded announcement will be available on the Park School weather line, 410.339.4141 by 6 a.m.
  • Media Outlets
    School closing and delayed opening announcements will be requested to appear on WBAL-TV, WJZ, and ABC2 News.  

For instances when the school is affected in some way that is not widely broadcast (for example, a water main break on Old Court Road), the school will send an email message and a text, and post a message to our website with delay or closure information. The same is true in the unlikely event of an early school closure.


 

DROP-OFF IN THE EVENT OF A DELAYED OPENING

For a one-hour delay, students may be dropped off from 9 a.m. on. For a two-hour delay, students may be dropped off from 10 a.m. on. Please do not drop off students before these appointed times as employees are delayed, too. There will be no adults available on campus to supervise your children.

NO LOWER SCHOOL *EARLY* DROP-OFF IN THE EVENT OF A DELAY

If the start of the school day is delayed, we are unable to offer Lower School Early Morning Drop-Off. Lower School students should be dropped off via the normal carpool line for Grades 1-5 when the school opens. Given potentially slippery conditions, Kindergarten students should be walked to their classrooms.

WEATHER DEVELOPMENTS DURING THE DAY

In general, if inclement weather develops during the day, the school will remain open. Parents may pick up their children early, but must inform the appropriate division office.

AFTER-SCHOOL AND EVENING ACTIVITIES

Please be aware of the potential cancelation of afternoon or evening activities. In the event of cancelation of after-school/evening activities, students’ pick-up times shift to the end of the school day and parents/guardians should pick up their children as close to the end of school as possible.

EXTENDED DAY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL AFTER DAY

Supervision will be available until all children are picked up; however, please do pick up children as close to the end of the school day as possible.

STUDENT DRIVERS

A parent or guardian must phone or e-mail the Upper School office to grant permission for a child to drive home if the school is closing early due to inclement weather.

BUS SERVICE

Families that use Park buses will be notified through the  Blackboard Connect (our text alert system) and email if the morning, afternoon, or late-bus (Kangaroo Coach) service is canceled. If Park opens late, buses will operate on the delayed schedule. If a given stop is temporarily suspended due to road conditions, parents will be notified of a community stop to meet the bus.

 Stay Safe and Warm!