Emergency Closing/Delayed Opening Procedures

In the event of inclement weather or other circumstances that would cause the closing of schools, a delayed opening, or an early school closing, communication with staff and families occurs in multiple and redundant ways.

The district sends notifications to families and staff members via ParentSquare. This will usually come in the form of a phone call, a text, an email and an app notification. To ensure you receive these messages, please make sure your school has up-to-date contact information.

Please note: power outages, loss of internet and downed phone lines can interfere with the delivery of these messages. For this reason, the district also posts delay, early dismissal, or closing information on the district website and district Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages and uses News 12 to broadcast school closings, late arrivals and early dismissals.

On days when inclement weather is predicted, the decision to close school could be made the evening prior. If not, the decision-making process begins at 3:30 a.m. and includes research on weather conditions, assessment of site conditions for our schools, consultation with the highway departments of our towns and a conference call with regional superintendents of schools. A decision will be made by approximately 5 a.m. and the communication process will be initiated.

Some important information:

Delays

• A 3-Hour Delay means students should report to their bus stops and/or arrive at school 3 hours after normal time.

  • Middle and high school students will have a shortened scheduled lunch period.

  • With the exception of Mount Kisco Elementary School, elementary students who have not eaten lunch before coming to school may have lunch from the cafeteria upon arrival at school, starting at approximately 11:30 am. The cafeteria will remain open for about 15 minutes once school starts for any students who arrive late or do not have lunch. There will be no recess when school is on a three-hour delayed opening. MKES will have shortened lunch periods after students arrive. 

• A 2-Hour Delay means students should report to their bus stops and/or arrive at school 2 hours after normal time.

• When a delay is called, please continue to be alert for communications, as a delay can become a school closing.

Early Dismissals

• For Early Dismissals, the earliest dismissal bus runs for the high school/middle school begin at 10:20 a.m. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30 a.m.

• If schools are closed, facilities are not available for use for after-school or evening activities by internal or external organizations. Therefore, all after-school activities are canceled, with the exception of after-care occurring in schools. 

• For Early Dismissals, staff members are dismissed after students have left campus.

• If schools are closed or there is an early dismissal on a Friday, please check the district website for the status of weekend activities.