Inclement Weather Policy
ADM 13.1
During inclement weather, all schools in the Archdiocese of Baltimore are to follow the directive of the jurisdiction in which the school is domiciled. The only exceptions to this policy are in the commentary.
Purpose:
To ensure the travel safety of students, parents, teachers and staff in our schools.
Commentary/Procedural Points:
For schools domiciled in one jurisdiction, but which draws a large percentage of students from a surrounding jurisdiction, the school can elect to follow the directive of the neighboring jurisdiction. The school must follow the jurisdiction with the more restrictive travel decision. For example, a school located in Baltimore City which draws a large number of students from Baltimore County, may elect to follow either Baltimore City or Baltimore County. In such a case if one district is opening two hours late, and the other jurisdiction is closing schools for the day, the school must follow the jurisdiction that has closed for the day. For a school electing this multi-jurisdictional approach, the school must announce which jurisdictions will be included for consideration at the beginning of the school year and the school must adhere to the same jurisdictions for the entire school year.
In circumstances where the local jurisdiction has closed or delayed schools solely due to extreme cold temperatures, a school that does not have any enrolled students using public school transportation to be transported to or from school and after consultations with the Superintendent of Catholic School may be given permission by the Superintendent to open school or remain open for the day.
In circumstances where the local jurisdiction has closed or delayed schools solely due to extreme heat, a school that is fully air conditioned or has adequate space in the building that is properly air conditioned to accommodate all students and after consultations with the Superintendent of Catholic School may be given permission by the Superintendent to open school or remain open for the day. In those circumstances where permission is extended by the Superintendent to open or re-open on days of extreme heat, all after school programs planned to take place outside must either be canceled or moved inside to an area that is adequately air conditioned.
Each school is to include information in the student handbook regarding the communication of school closures, delays and early dismissals.
Schools need to remind parents they have the right not to send their children to school if they feel travel conditions are unsafe. However, it is to be noted that children will be marked as absent for the time they are not in school.
In the event that a school is closed early or for the day on Monday - Friday, all after school or evening activities will be canceled. Any exception requires the approval of the Associate Superintendent and Superintendent.
In circumstances where school is either closed early or for the day on a Friday or before a holiday due to inclement weather, the school is not required to cancel weekend activities. Rather, each school is responsible for assessing the safety of accessing and using their campus in determining if the activities can proceed as scheduled or they should be rescheduled. The assessment is to include the directive of the local jurisdiction and consultation with the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, an evaluation of the public roads in the area, the condition of the roads, parking lots and sidewalks on the campus, as well as any increased cost considerations the school will incur to expedite work to make the campus safe for use.
In circumstances where the local jurisdiction has not closed schools or dismissed early due to extreme heat, a school that is not fully air conditioned (after consultation with the Superintendent) may be given permission to close the school.
August 4, 2022