School Cancellation Process

Why Crawford Central School District should not be compared with other school districts.

Our district is comprised of the City of Meadville, the Borough of Cochranton, Vernon, Union, West Mead, Fairfield, East Fairfield and Wayne Townships.  Subsequently, if available information regarding conditions or forecast conditions indicate weather safety concerns in any of these areas, decisions will apply towards the entire district as well as all out-of-district programs serviced by transportation (busing).

How does the District communicate the delay or cancellation?

Each time a decision to delay or cancel school is made, all local television and radio stations are notified.  The District Website (www.craw.org) will also display the status of the delay or cancellation along with our Facebook page, Twitter account (@crawfordcentral) and Armstrong Cable channel 201.  Additionally, the District utilizes a phone notification system which will call a home or cellular telephone in order to notify families of a delay or cancellation.

What about students who attend non-public schools requiring transportation?

In the case of weather delay or cancellation, transportation for non-public school students will follow the Crawford Central School District schedule.

What decision should parents make?

Parents always have the responsibility for making decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of their own children.  This includes decisions about sending a child to school when conditions are questionable.

The Superintendent will make a decision in the best interest of the District at large.  Parents may decide to make a different decision for their own child based upon other factors such as age, health, attendance, academics, distance from the bus stop, road conditions unique to their area, bus stop waiting area, length of bus ride, etc.  In those conditions, the District will honor the decision of the parent who assesses the individual circumstance and acts accordingly.

While it is important to have students in school, on time, every scheduled day, the safety of each child is paramount.  As the District makes every effort to preserve instructional time for its students, parents are urged to make the appropriate decision based on their own situation in order to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their child.  According to District policy, an excuse for the student is still required with the reason for absence due to inclement weather conditions.

What is the recommendation for winter dress?

Our District is located in the snow belt area.  Frequent heavy snow and cold temperatures are normal during the winter season.  Students should always wear an appropriate coat, hat, gloves and boots during winter weather. 

What are the guidelines regarding extreme cold?

• According to the National Weather Service, no specific rules exist for determining when wind chill becomes dangerous.  However, the threshold for potentially dangerous wind chill conditions is about -25°F.
• If the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory and wind chill predictions are for temperatures of -25°F or colder at 5:30 a.m., a delay may be called.
• Note that there may be warmer or cooler areas within the District.  The -25°F wind chill guideline is a threshold at which point a delay will be considered.  The District relies on the available temperature reports which may not reflect the conditions at your location.
• If the National Weather Service issues a Wind Chill Warning, a delay will be called.  If conditions do not improve, school may be cancelled.