School Closing Information Due to Weather Emergency

Office of the Superintendent
Bensalem Township School District
3000 Donallen Drive
Bensalem, PA 19020

The purpose of this brochure is to provide you with the information necessary to be prepared for the closing of school due to a weather emergency – namely snow!

Who Is Watching The Weather?
School administrators and the Transportation Coordinator maintain a careful watch of the weather during the snow season.  The extent to which snowfall affects the operation of school and bus transportation varies with the amount of snow that accumulates.  The time of day snow occurs and the weather conditions after a storm are also factors that must be considered.

    Weather forecasts from the National Weather Service
    Local police information on road conditions
    Assessment of school parking and accessibility to buildings
    Time snow starts and/or is predicted to end
    Amount of snow forecasted
    Expected impact on traffic
    Weather conditions expected after the snow

 

Who Makes The Decision?
The Superintendent is responsible for the final decision.  His decision is based on the information received from the sources noted above. 

 

When Is The Decision Made?
The decision to close school is made as close to 5:00 a.m. as possible so that we can begin 
communicating that decision to our community.

 

For Up-To-Date Information on
… School Closings
… Late Openings
… Early Dismissals

 

Please monitor our official communication portals:
Website: www.bensalemsd.org
Facebook: BensalemTownshipSchoolDistrict
X: BensalemSchools

 

Watch:
Comcast Cable Channel 28
Verizon FiOS Channel 32
CBS 3; ABC 6; NBC 10; FOX 29

Bensalem Township School District 
Emergency Closing Number “758”

 

Listen To:
Radio Station KYW 1060 AM
Radio Station WBCB 1490 AM

Call Informa-Line
215-750-2800, Option #6

 

Weather conditions may be such that delaying the opening of school will be necessary. Notification of a delayed opening will be communicated in the same manner as a school closing.  Buses will arrive at stops two hours later than usual and school will begin two hours later.  

High School: 9:21 a.m.
Middle Schools: 10:10 a.m.
Elementary Schools: 10:55 a.m.

 

It is possible that snow will begin and accumulate to several inches while students are in school.  This may result in the dismissal of students earlier than normal.  If there is an early dismissal, all activity buses are cancelled.  ALL AFTER SCHOOL AND EVENING ACTIVITIES ARE CANCELLED.
      
What Is the Early Dismissal Schedule?

High School: 11:15 a.m.
Middle Schools: 12:00 p.m.
Elementary Schools: 1:00 p.m.

 

The purpose for this schedule of dismissal is so that older students will be home to care for younger brothers and sisters.

 

The times listed are approximate, depending on weather and road conditions.  Safety is our primary consideration!

Flexible Instruction Days
Bensalem Township School District has received permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to have 5 Remote Learning Days that will count toward the 180-day mandated minimum of school.  That gives us the flexibility to switch to a Remote Learning Day if we believe it to be appropriate.  Again, that will be clearly stated to the school community in our weather emergency communication.  Click here to see how Remote Learning Days work.

How Can Parents Be Ready?
Parents should be prepared for an early dismissal by having identified a neighbor’s house where their child can go if they cannot be at home.  The name, address, and telephone number of this person should be on file with the principal at your child’s school.

In case of an early dismissal, it is requested that parents do not drive to school to pick up children who normally ride the school bus.  The additional traffic makes the safe transportation of students to their homes that much more difficult.

Warning
A severe winter storm could develop unexpectedly during the school day.  Despite an early dismissal schedule, weather conditions and traffic problems could result in children arriving home well past their normal time.

 

If this type of situation should occur, the district will, through our principals, our website www.bensalemsd.org Comcast Cable Channel 28, Verizon FiOS Channel 32, Facebook and Twitter, keep parents apprised of when they can expect their children home. School bus drivers maintain radio contact with the bus garage.

 

If a severe winter storm is forecast to begin during the school day and there is good reason to believe that the storm will disrupt the safe transportation of students to and from school, Schools Will Be Closed.

 

We hope this information assists you in understanding all that is involved in our dealing with winter storms and provides you with the necessary information to prepare for the snow season.

 

 
Updated: December 2023