School Closing Information

School Closing/Delayed Opening Information

WHO IS WATCHING THE WEATHER?

The superintendent and administrative staff carefully watch the weather conditions during seasons of possible inclement weather.
 

WHERE DO THEY GET THEIR INFORMATION?

Our school district monitors national weather service via broadcast and internet. We also contact the local law enforcement about road conditions. The Jersey City and Newark Police Departments provide us with a report on the road conditions from officers who are out on patrol. In making our decision, we must give careful consideration to the condition of local streets as well as the sidewalks and crossings around the community. 

 

WHAT FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED WHEN MAKING THE DECISION TO CLOSE SCHOOL?

The safety of all M.E.T.S. students is our primary concern in making our decision. In deciding whether children will be safe, we look at the following factors:

  • Information on road conditions from the director of building and grounds and from law enforcement, including whether roads are icy;
  • Time snow or ice starts and the amount;
  • Weather predictions;
  • Building conditions (e.g., whether schools have power and heat);
  • Temperature and wind-chill.

 

WHO MAKES THE DECISION?

The superintendent of schools is responsible for the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the district staff.
 

SCHOOL CLOSING/DELAYED OPENING ANNOUNCEMENTS

In the event M.E.T.S. Charter School will be closed or have a delayed opening, an announcement will be made using the following media outlets.

Website:
M.E.T.S. Charter School District website - http://www.metscharterschool.org/

Social Media:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009190648310
Twitter - https://twitter.com/metscharter
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themetscharterschool/

We request that you do not call the police department for school closing information. These lines must be kept clear for emergencies.


DELAYED OPENING OF SCHOOLS

The purposes of a delayed opening of schools are:

  • to allow time for a change in weather conditions which have been forecast by the National Weather Service (NWS);
  • to allow crews to clear more streets and roads;
  • to allow our staff to clear walkways;
  • to allow staff, some of whom travel long distances from rural areas, to travel on cleared roads; and

Should it become necessary and appropriate to delay the opening times of our schools, the following plan will provide guidelines for the operation of a "delayed opening day":

DECISION: Will be made by 5:30 A.M. by the Superintendent on the basis of information received from:
- U.S. Weather Service
- Jersey City and Newark P.D.
- Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds
- Superintendents of area school systems

*** CAUTION: DELAYED OPENING COULD CHANGE TO A CLOSING ***

The most common reason for a "delayed opening" of school is that the inclement weather which exists between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. is likely to improve and clear by mid-morning. Therefore, IF THE WEATHER DOES NOT IMPROVE and/or IF, BY 7:15 A.M., THE ROADS ARE NOT CLEARED ENOUGH to be able to provide staff with a SAFE trip to school and students with a SAFE walk to school, the Superintendent will change the decision from "DELAY" to "CLOSED FOR THE DAY." That decision would be made by the Superintendent on the basis of information received from: U.S. Weather Service, Jersey City or Newark P.D., Supervisor of Bldgs. and Grounds, Area School Superintendents.

DELAYED OPENING SCHEDULE: 
10:00am - 3:00pm
** Staff will be asked to report at 9:45am