Weather & Emergency Closings
Inclement Weather
The decision to close or delay school for inclement weather will be reported on local radio stations, TV, our website, social media, and cals/texts through our Rapid Communication Service by 6:30 a.m. In order to receive your notification call, please be sure to keep your contact information updated in the Sapphire Community Portal.
Radio and television stations will be advised of these early dismissals. Please refrain from calling the schools during these situations as telephones are needed for emergency calls. Stations carrying school closing information include: FM 90.3, FM 94.5, FM 96.9, FM 103.3, AM 1490, FM 105.1, FM 101.3, and TV channels 27 and 8, and on-line at www.thewgalchannel.com
Virtual Learning Day/Flexible Instructional Day (FID)
As a district, we always keep an eye on potential hazardous weather that may make travel to/from school challenging. In some instances, PVSD may need to initiate a Virtual Learning Day/Flexible Instructional Day (FID) in the event that weather/travel conditions necessitate a district closure. If we need to close our schools due to weather conditions, you will receive an Alert Now call informing you that there is an email through Sapphire Backpack letting you know of our intent to facilitate a Virtual Learning Day/FID. The Virtual Learning Day/FID message will also be provided through the district website and our social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Not all media outlets will specifically say "Virtual Learning Day/FID", since some are not equipped to post specific information about school closings. They may only share information about school "delays or cancellations." For example, you may hear that PVSD is closed on the television or radio, even though we are communicating to you that PVSD will be participating in a Virtual Learning Day/FID, if necessary.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education will count a Virtual Learning Day/FID as a full day of school and it will not need to be made up during the school year. PVSD is permitted to use up to five (5) Virtual Learning days/FIDs during the school year. All K-12 learners are expected to actively participate in their learning during the Virtual Learning Day/FID, and will complete assigned work asynchronously (assignments posted, not live instruction). Learners will have access to their facilitators for at least two (2) hours during established "office hours." Facilitators will communicate information regarding their office hours and how to contact them if needed. Additionally, learners and/or parents/guardians may message facilitators through their communication tool (i.e. ClassDoJo/Schoology) or by email, with any question, or if assistance is needed with completing the work on the FID. Learners eligible for special education services will receive their instruction and support as per their Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Since a Virtual Learning Day/FID is an approved instructional day, learners will complete assigned work and submit it as communicated by their facilitators/teachers. Facilitators/teachers may communicate that the assignments are to be submitted electronically, or in person, within the first two school days after the Virtual Learning Day/FID. Work completion is necessary to account for learner attendance. If learners experience issues during the Virtual Learning Day/FID with district technology, please immediately go to pequeavalley.org, scroll to the Announcements section, click on "Virtual Learning Tech Support" and create a ticket for assistance. If issues occur related to the work posted in ClassDojo or Schoology, learners should contact their respective facilitator/teacher(s).
Please note the following times that facilitators will communicate assignments via Schoology or ClassDojo on a Virtual Learning Day/FID:
- Elementary (Grades K-6) assignments will be communicated to learners and families by 9:00am on the day of the Virtual Learning Day/FID.
- Secondary (Grades 7-12) assignments will be communicated to learners and families by 8:00am on the day of the Virtual Learning Day/FID.
If a learner does not submit their required work during the school day, or within the first two days returning to school after the Virtual Learning Day/FID, they will be marked as "Absent" for the Virtual Learning Day/FID. This absence will require a signed parent/guardian excuse noting sickness for the learner. As per the district attendance procedures, the lack of a signed parent/guardian excuse after five school days will result in the absence being coded as an "Unexcused Absence," and a learner may receive a zero on any graded assignment that was not submitted.
This Virtual Learning Day/FID will enable us to continue to deliver meaningful learning opportunities for learners while they are at home. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your learner's school principal.
Emergency Preparedness
The safety of your children has always been a primary concern of the Pequea Valley School District. We know we are entrusted with the well-being of your students. We keep all but the main door locked in each school, and we hold drills for bus evacuation, fire and building escape, and tornadoes. We have a two-day supply of food and water. We have an emergency plan. With the increase of terrorism in the world, however, we now must add new safety measures and caution.
We are preparing for a variety of emergency response situations. We are taking proactive measures to protect the safety of all our students and staff members. In addition, we are coordinating efforts with local emergency management agencies, emergency responders, and county and state safety and mental health officials. Depending on the nature of an emergency, we will respond according to our plans for potential threats and will follow directions from public safety officials. We may be ordered to evacuate students, have a lock down, or initiate a shelter-in-place response.
Parents should know that their access to the school during an incident may be barred for a variety of reasons, such as airborne chemicals or toxins. If students are to be released to parents, there will be an orderly system to provide for the safety of each child. In such instances, we will coordinate with the local media to get information to you. It is important that you remain aware of public notices on WGAL-TV, WIOV radio, television, the Internet, and our website about emergency procedures and updates. In every case, student and staff safety is our first priority. All procedures will be designed for their protection.
We realize that the safety issues confronting our nation and community are serious. We know that parents, students, and staff will work together to help maintain the focus on teaching and learning in our schools as we address this continuing situation. Please be assured that we will care for our children as though they were our own.