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Delayed Opening Procedures

We would like to provide information on a DELAYED OPENING procedure to be implemented by Sewanhaka Central High School District.

A delayed opening will be considered by the Superintendent of Schools if road or weather conditions are hazardous at the normal opening time, but are expected to improve. Delayed openings will delay the opening of school by two hours. The delayed school opening schedule is:

	Normal Starting Time	Delayed Starting Time
Sewanhaka HS	7:45 am	9:45 am
Floral Park Mem. HS	7:55 am	9:55 am
Elmont Mem. HS	7:55 am	9:55 am
H. Frank Carey HS	8:00 am	10:00 am
New Hyde Park HS	8:00 am	10:00 am

There will be no zero period classes conducted during a two-hour delay schedule.

A delayed school opening means bus schedules will also be delayed by two hours. For example, if your child's bus is normally scheduled to arrive at your stop at 7:15 A.M., the two-hour delay will change it to 9:15 A.M.

A delayed opening is subject to change if the weather or road conditions remain hazardous. The Superintendent retains the option to issue a subsequent order directing a school closing when the potential for a hazardous situation exists.

Students who attend private and parochial schools or BOCES will be affected by a delayed opening of the Sewanhaka Central High School District. Buses to all private and parochial schools will also be delayed by two hours. Private and parochial schools will be notified of the delayed opening through the media and the district's ConnectEd phone system.

The decision to delay the opening of school will be reported to the following radio/TV stations:

WINS 1010 (AM)

WCBS 880 (AM)

WBAB 102.3 (FM)

WHLI 1100 (AM)

WBLI 106.1 (FM)

CABLEVISION CHANNEL 12

WKJY 98.3 (FM)

The district's ConnectEd system will also be used to notify parents and guardians of a delayed opening. In addition, every attempt will be made to have a recorded tape message at each public high school and at the Administration Building, indicating that the opening of school has been delayed. In the event that you have any questions regarding these topics, please call the Transportation Office at 516-488-9821.

QUESTIONS REGARDING DELAYED SCHOOL OPENINGS

What is a delayed school opening?

A delayed school opening is one in which the regular starting time for a school is changed because of weather-related problems. (e.g., High School normal starting time is 7:45a.m. In a two-hour delay, the High School would start at 9:45.

Why is it necessary to have a delayed school opening?

A delayed school opening allows the Townships and School District additional time to plow and sand the roads, sidewalks, etc. in order to ensure a safer trip to school for our students and staff.

Why hasn't the District utilized delayed school openings in the past?

Over the past few years there has been a distinctive change in weather patterns on Long Island. The delayed opening is an option for coping with the changes in weather patterns.

Would all Sewanhaka Central High School District private, parochial and public school students be subject to the delayed opening regardless of the school attended?

Yes NOTE: Private and parochial school students would have a two hour delayed busing schedule, not necessarily a two hour delayed school opening.

If a delayed opening were necessary, would dismissal times be the same?

Yes

How would parents know about a delayed school opening?

Visit any of the following: District website www.Sewanhaka.K12.ny.us and radio stations WINS 1010 AM, WBAB 102.3 FM, WBLI 106.1 FM, WKJY 98.3 FM, WCBS 880 AM, WHLI 1100 AM, CABLEVISION CHANNEL 12 NEWS.

If my child attends a private or a parochial school outside the District and that school starts at the regular time, does my youngster still get picked up on a two-hour delay?

Yes. For example, if your child attends Kellenberg and that school starts at its regular time of 8:10 a.m., your child's bus pickup will still be delayed by two hours (10:10 a.m.).

If my child attends a Regional BOCES school, would he/she be subject to a bus pickup delay?

Yes

If there is a two-hour delayed opening, what time can I expect my child to be picked up?

If your child goes to the high school and his regular pick up is 6:45 a.m., his delayed pick up would be two hours later which is 8:45 a.m. In other words, for all pick ups, just add two hours to your child's regular pick up time.