Inclement Weather Emergency Schedule Procedures

Emergency schedule procedures can occur at any time and can be caused by weather conditions, police emergencies like power lines down, major gas leaks, etc. We strongly recommend that you keep this information handy and check the cable channel, 1010 AM radio, and Channel 5 News for emergency announcements each morning as children are preparing for school. It is also critical that you make sure that your school has up-to-date emergency numbers with which they can contact you or an authorized adult in an emergency. Be sure to contact your school any time your phone numbers change.

There are three ways of dealing with inclement weather. School can be closed, the opening of school can be delayed, and school can be closed early (early dismissal).

If the weather forecast calls for severe weather conditions, the decision to close schools is relatively easy. When the weather is threatening, the decision is more difficult. At times, the weather during the morning commute is poor but the forecast calls for moderating temperatures, meaning the weather is expected to improve throughout the day. When this occurs, we may require a delayed opening. The schedule works as follows:

1. Delayed Opening Schedule

Elementary Schools (90 Minute) Delayed Opening - 10:05 AM

Middle School (90 Minute) Delayed Opening - 10:15 AM

High School (90 Minute) Hour Delayed Opening - 9:20 AM

Note: Students who are transported should be at their pickups 90 Minutes later during a delayed opening schedule.

For severe weather conditions like extreme heat, winter storms, hurricane conditions, or a non-weather related emergency that occurs after children are in school, an early dismissal may be required. While every effort will be made to provide parents with notice the day or evening before, it is possible that an early dismissal can be called on the morning of the emergency event. We strongly recommend that parents/guardians monitor weather conditions on a regular basis to better anticipate possible school schedule changes. For an early dismissal, the elementary single session scheduled will be followed and for the middle and high schools, the “half-day” schedule is used.

2. Early Dismissal Schedule

- Elementary Schools – Grades K-6 dismissed at 12:35 p.m.

- Middle School – students dismissed at 1:04 p.m.

- High School – students dismissed at 12:15 p.m.

Note: Bus stop drop-off times are moved up in accordance with the early dismissal.

3. Breakfast and Lunch Schedule

Elementary Schools: 

Scheduled Half Days –
Breakfast will be served  
Lunch will not be served

Unscheduled Half Days (called while students are already in school) –
Breakfast and Lunch will be served

Delayed Opening -
Breakfast will not be served
Lunch will be served

Middle School:

Scheduled and Unscheduled Half Days –
Breakfast and Lunch will not be served

Delayed Opening –
Breakfast will not be served
Lunch will be served

High School:

Scheduled and Unscheduled Half Days –
Breakfast will be served
Lunch will not be served

Delayed Opening –
Breakfast and Lunch will be served

We will inform you as early as possible about school closings, delayed openings or early dismissals. This information is provided to you so that you can make emergency arrangements for your child(ren).

- Telephonic message that can be heard by contacting the following telephone number between the hours of 6:30 AM - 8:00 PM: 973-450-3555

- Radio station “WINS” 1010AM will broadcast Belleville school closings or delayed openings between 5:00 AM and 9:00 AM (32 minutes after the hour)

- TV Channel 5, WBHS Channel 34 and FIOS Channel 39 will also announce school closing or delayed school opening bulletins.

- Access the following Websites: www.bellevilleschools.org or www.cancellations.com.