• School closings are announced on the following AM Stations: WCOJ 1420, and KYW 1060. Our school number on KYW is #910.

• School closings will also be announced on the television on KYW, Channel 3, and WPVI, Channel 6.

• When there is a one-hour or a two-hour delay for our school there will be NO Morning Preschool classes held.

• Homeroom Parents will use a chain call system in the event of an unusual closing.
• Please note: SSPJ is located in the West Chester school district, and generally follows the district for weather closings and delays. If you live in or receive busing from another school district, they may make a different decision on a situation, and your bus may be affected. Be sure to check with your district for their policies, and to check closing information for both SSPJ and your school district when the weather is bad. WPVI's (6ABC) web site carries a comprehensive list of schools during closings.

Detailed Information on Emergency Closings

As a courtesy to you, the Homeroom Parents provide a phone chain service in the event of an emergency closing of the school.

• Please remember that we are generally given less than one-hour notice from the school district and that we will do our best to inform you as quickly as possible.

During the month of October, you will be given an “Emergency Closing Form” to fill out for each child in your family. You will list three contact names on this form and you will prioritize these names. You will sign and date the bottom of the form acknowledging that you release these numbers so that we may make this process as easy as possible. 

We ask that you listen to the TV or radio each morning during the winter as we will NOT be calling you for obvious closings/ snow days. TV channels 3 (KYW) and 6 (WPVI) and the AM radio stations WCOJ (1420) and KYW (1060) will announce the closings. You may also check the websites on the Internet.

• We are referred to either as the West Chester School District, (code #851) or SS. Philip and James School, (code #910) during the announcements. 
• You may expect a phone call for early dismissals or an emergency school closing (e.g. No Heat).

We will attempt to call you in the order that you prioritize the contact names on the Emergency Closing Form. If we reach you, please inform your sitter. If we reach the sitter first, he/she should inform you. We will attempt to call you until we have reached ONE person on your contact list.

• Now is the time to make an emergency plan for your child and instruct him/her where to go!!

If your child is bussed, they will be sent home on the bus as usual. If you think there might be an early dismissal (due to inclement weather) and choose to pick your child up in the car line, you must write a note and send it in with your child in the morning. We will not accept last minute changes to this policy. There are too many children involved for you to call at the last minute.

• Please DO NOT E-MAIL the school office with instructions regarding your child. It is much too busy in the office during an early dismissal to check e-mail.

Please keep in mind that as the parent, it is your responsibility to have an alternate plan in case of an emergency closure.

Please keep your child’s teacher and one of the homeroom mothers for your child’s class informed of any changes in the information you provide on the form. (e.g. New Phone Numbers at home, or at work, new contact persons, etc.) The school office will NOT notify the homeroom mothers of these changes. That is your responsibility. Your child’s teacher will keep the original form and a copy will be give to the homeroom parents.

Copyright 2007 SS Philip & James School.