The decision to open or close schools during inclement weather takes several factors into consideration. Those factors are as follows:

There are times when there is no perfect decision. Weather forecasts are not always accurate and there is always the chance that conditions turn out to be worse or better than expected. After heavy accumulations, bus stops may not be safe for several days, even if the roads are clear for vehicles. Our township is very large geographically and conditions may vary by neighborhood or even on your own street. If you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, please use your best judgment. The safety of our students – your children – is our number one priority and will be the number one factor when deciding whether to keep schools open or to close them during inclement weather. We feel it is always better to err on the side of caution than to put our students and staff at risk.

The Superintendent of Schools is responsible for making the final decision based upon the factors listed above and recommendations from key district personnel and local officials.

Information is gathered to make the decision prior to 5:30 a.m., if possible, so that we may communicate that decision to parents/guardians and teachers. An initial decision to delay may be made, followed by another decision to close school due to worsening weather. If school is open and the weather forecast changes after students have arrived, a decision may be made to close the schools early. In the event of an early closing, the decision will usually be made before 11:00 a.m.

If school is closed, all programs, activities, and sports will be suspended. If there is a delayed opening, AM childcare and all before school activities will be cancelled. If there is an early dismissal, after school childcare and all other after school activities/sports will be cancelled.

Snow days are not built in to our calendar. They are generally added to the end of the school year, although if there are excessive days in a year, days may be taken from Spring Break or other holidays. Please be aware that the originally scheduled last day of school and graduation may change due to emergency closings. If you have a graduating student, please do not make unchangeable plans for the week immediately following the original graduation date as that date is likely to change.

The state requires school districts to provide 180 days of instruction for students, therefore, all school closing days must be made up by June 30 of the school year. Our schools will be open for students 180 days during the year regardless of holidays and emergency closings.
 

Virtual Days may not be used 

Unlike 2020-21, virtual days cannot be used for emergency closings and they must be made up to meet the 180 day requirement. Currently, a virtual day is accepted only if a school is closed for quarantine purposes for more than three days.  

The following is an excerpt from the Road Forward published by the NJDOE and NJDOH: 

“Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 18A:7F-9, schools must be in session for 180 days to receive state aid. The statute requires that school facilities be provided for at least 180 days during the school year. Section (b) notes that where a district is required to close the schools of the district for more than three consecutive school days due to a declared state of emergency, declared public health emergency, or a directive and/or recommendation by the appropriate health agency or officer to institute a public health-related closure, days of virtual or remote instruction commensurate with in-person instruction will count towards the district’s 180-day requirement.”