We’d like to take this opportunity to remind parents and students about how Broadalbin-Perth communicates weather-related announcements, including closings, delays and early dismissals.
Where can I find the announcements for closings/delays?
Once the decision is made to change the school district’s regular operating schedule, that information is sent through a variety of ways:
- The district website;
- To parents and faculty/staff via email and SMS text message through the Patriot Portal;
- The district’s mobile app. It’s available to download for free on Apple and Android mobile devices;
- The district’s weather hotline (518-954-2525);
- The voicemail of the district office (518-954-2500, option 5); and
- The Capital Region School Closing Network, which informs local TV and radio stations. Note, Broadalbin-Perth does not control when or if TV and radio stations publicize school closings and delays. All school districts in the area use the Capital Region School Closing Network.
It is best to rely on more than one source of information when it comes to weather-related announcements. This is particularly true in situations that involve power outages. Emergency preparedness agencies have advised that residents have access to a battery-powered radio so that they can receive information if other communication channels are unavailable.
About Patriot Portal and the district’s app
It is recommended that all parents either download the district’s mobile app or make sure their contact information is up-to-date in the Patriot Portal. All parents with valid email addresses and cell phone numbers in the Patriot Portal will automatically receive email and text message alerts and users of the district’s mobile app will receive push notifications to their mobile devices whenever school is closed or delayed. When in doubt, it is recommended parents check the district website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Parents are encouraged to update their email and cell phone (SMS text message) information in their Patriot Portal accounts at bpcsd.parentlink.net.
Why would school be canceled/delayed?
While snow is the reason for most school closings and delays, it’s not the only possible reason. Especially during the winter months, the regular school schedule could be disrupted because of a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with snow: Extreme wind chills, boiler failures and water main breaks have all affected schools in upstate New York during recent winters.
At what time would school be canceled/delayed?
Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson must make decisions about closing or delaying the start of the Broadalbin-Perth school day by 5 a.m. When school operates on its regular schedule, transportation personnel must report by 5:30 a.m., and buses are on the road to pick up middle and high school students by 5:45 a.m.
“When considering the possibility of closing school or delaying its start, my top priority is always the safety of our students,” Mr. Tomlinson said. “We have to make the decision before most schools in our area, so we can’t wait to see what other districts are doing. I consult with our transportation and buildings and grounds staff, and we look at road conditions, weather forecasts, temperatures and the operating conditions of our buses and school buildings when making these decisions.”