Winter Weather Notification Center

Weather conditions may require the Elizabethtown Area School District to close schools, delay the start of school, implement a Bears Virtual Day, or dismiss students early to ensure the safety of students and staff. Families are encouraged to have a plan in place for these unplanned events and to familiarize themselves with the District's winter weather communication procedures.

Whenever possible, closure or delay decisions are made the evening before a weather event. If conditions require a same-day decision, the District typically makes a final determination by 5:15 a.m., with communication to families beginning immediately.

Interested in how weather-related decisions are made? Visit our Winter Weather Decision-Making Process page to learn more about the factors considered when determining whether to open, delay, or close school.

 

How We Communicate Weather-Related Decisions

The District utilizes multiple communication channels to share weather-related information with families and staff. In most cases, the District website and official social media channels will be the first locations where announcements are posted. Notifications may also be shared through:

• District Website
• Facebook
• X
• Email Notifications
• Text Messages
• Phone Calls (when applicable)
• Local Media Outlets

District Notification Procedures for Weather-Related Scenarios

Below is an overview of how the District will directly notify families for different weather scenarios:

• Closures, Delays & Bears Virtual Days (Morning Decision): Email and text (no phone call).
• Closures, Delays & Bears Virtual Days (Night-Before Decision): Phone call, email, and text.
• Early Dismissals: Phone call, email, and text.

I want to learn more about Bears Virtual Days

Keeping Your Contact Information Current

To receive important weather-related and emergency notifications, the phone number, mobile number, and email address you wish to use must be on file in the District's Student Information System. Families are encouraged to review and update their contact information regularly to ensure uninterrupted communication.

For contact information updates, please contact Becky Greenly at becky_greenly@etownschools.org.

Text Message Registration Required

To comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirements, families wishing to receive District-issued text messages must complete a one-time registration process.

From the mobile device listed in the Student Information System, send a text message containing:

YES or Y

to:

67587

If you are already receiving text messages from the District, no additional action is required.

Questions

For questions about the District's winter weather notifications, please contact Troy Portser by email at troy_portser@etownschools.org.