Weather conditions may make it necessary for the Elizabethtown Area School District to close schools, delay the start of school, or dismiss early for the safety of students and staff. Families should have a well-communicated plan in place in the event of these unplanned weather events. Due to the speed at which the District can post weather-related updates online, information will typically appear on our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter) and website first, followed by direct communication with our families. For school closings and delays, whenever possible, the District will try to make a decision the night before a weather event. However, when that is not possible, the District typically decides school status by 5:15 a.m. the morning of the weather event and begins communicating the information immediately with our families. Below we have outlined how we will communicate with our families for each scenario (closing, delay, early dismissal). Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our process including how to receive District-issued text messages. 

NO SCHOOL DAY (for winter weather events)

What We Do:

• Notification posted to the District website.
• Notification posted to District Facebook and Twitter pages.
• EMAIL and TEXT MESSAGE sent to ALL families using our automated messaging system (no need to register). 
• The text number and email address you wish to receive a message on MUST be on file in our Student Information System so make sure your contact information on file with the District is current (see details below on how to update).
• Notification posted to local media outlets (ABC-27, CBS-21, FOX-43, NBC-8, Lancaster Newspapers).
• A Bears Virtual Learning Day may be activated for a school closing (CLICK HERE for more info on Bears Virtual Learning Days)

What We Don't Do:

• EASD WILL NOT PHONE CALL families for school closings unless the decision is made the day BEFORE at a reasonable hour of the day (before 8 p.m.).

SCHOOL DELAY (for winter weather events)

What We Do:

• Notification posted to the District website.
• Notification posted to District Facebook and Twitter pages.
• EMAIL and TEXT MESSAGE sent to ALL families using our automated messaging system (no need to register). 
• The text number and email address you wish to receive a message on MUST be on file in our Student Information System so make sure your contact information with the District is current (see details below on how to update).
• Notification posted to local media outlets (ABC-27, CBS-21, FOX-43, NBC-8, Lancaster Newspapers).
• Two-hour delay schedule can be accessed by clicking HERE.

What We Don't Do:

• EASD WILL NOT PHONE CALL families for school delays unless the decision is made the day BEFORE at a reasonable hour of the day (before 8 p.m.).

EARLY DISMISSAL (for winter weather events)

What We Do:

• Notification posted to the District website.
• Notification posted to District Facebook and Twitter pages.
• PHONE CALL, EMAIL, and TEXT MESSAGE sent to ALL families and emergency contacts using our automated messaging system (no need to register).
• The phone number, text number, and email address you wish to receive a message on MUST be on file in our Student Information System so make sure your contact information with the District is current (see details below on how to update).
• Notification posted to local media outlets (ABC-27, CBS-21, FOX-43, NBC-8, Lancaster Newspapers).

TEXT MESSAGE AND CONTACT INFORMATION

• The District will send ALL families text messages (no need to register) for school closings, school delays, and early dismissals. However, while the District will text all families automatically, due to a Federal Communication Commission mandate, you do need to take the following action to receive EASD-issued text messages:
• Send a one-time text of YES or Y to the following number - 67587 - from the device you have on file in our Student Information System AND wish to receive the text message. Until you send the one-time text message, your device will automatically block our messages, and you will not receive text messages from the EASD. If you are already receiving text messages from the District, this action is unnecessary as you have already completed this step.
• Contact information, including phone numbers, text numbers, and email addresses, can be updated by contacting Becky Greenly at becky_greenly@etownschools.org or (717) 361-4893. 

QUESTIONS

For more information on the process the District uses when deciding to keep open, delay, or close school, CLICK HERE. For questions about the District's use of School Messenger for winter weather notifications, please contact Troy Portser at (717) 367-1521 ext. 10024 or troy_portser@etownschools.org.