Absences
Delayed Openings
A special schedule will be in effect on days when unexpected conditions necessitate a two-hour delayed opening. Dismissal will be at the regularly scheduled time. This procedure will allow us to have school in session rather than canceling the day, which would require a makeup day.
In most instances, the opening will be delayed two hours, pushing all of the schools’ original start times back two hours. Bus pick-up will be in the usual location, and pick-up time will be at the same differential as for the regular school schedule. For example, if normal pick-up was 7:45 a.m., then the delayed opening pick-up time would be 9:45 a.m. Pick-up for a two-hour delayed opening is always two hours after the normal pick-up time.
Dismissal/Early Dismissal/Unscheduled Early Dismissal from School
Students in grades 1 through 12, who are not eligible for district-provided transportation or who are eligible for such transportation but elect not to use it, shall be permitted to leave school unescorted during regular dismissal on early dismissal days identified on the district’s annual school calendar, and on unscheduled (emergency) early dismissal days unless the parent/ guardian provides prior written notification to the school. Parents who wish to have escort arrangements for their child(ren) must complete and a submit to the school principal a “Consent for Supervision at Dismissal” form. The form is available in each school’s main office.
All documented escort arrangements will be considered applicable for the entire school year unless alternate arrangements are submitted in writing to the Principal by the child’s parent/guardian on or before the day of the alternate plan. If a student’s designated escort fails to pick up the student within 30 minutes of the school dismissal time, proper authorities will be notified. The ParentSquare Communication System will be used for notification of unscheduled early dismissal days. Parents are asked to review the district calendar to note scheduled early dismissal dates.
Pre-K/Kindergarten students who elect not to use district- provided transportation shall not be permitted to leave the school unescorted. If the parent/legal guardian or escort fails to pick up the student within 45 minutes of dismissal, proper authorities will be notified. Pre-K/Kindergarten students will not be permitted to leave the bus stop unless an escort is available. Students who have no escort will remain on the bus and will be taken back to the school. Within 45 minutes following dismissal time, authorities will be notified.
Early Dismissal and Student Release
If a student is being picked up early by their parent/guadian, they must notify their child's school. Notification can be sent through the Genesis parent portal. To notify your child's school, log in to your parent portal and choose "Attendance" from the menu on the left hand side of the page. Then choose "Pickup". Simply enter the required information and click "Save".
Early Dismissal/Half-Day Schedule
Genesis Attendance Procedures
If a student will be absent from school, the student's school must be notified by their parent/guardian. Parents/guardians may notify the school through the Genesis parent portal. To notify your child's school, log in to your parent portal and choose "Attendance" from the menu on the left hand side of the page. Then choose "Notify Office". Simply enter the required information and click "Submit to Office". You can also upload documents such as doctor's notes. Please note that this process must be completed for each child.
Integrated Preschool/Preschool Disabled
Emergency Closings
In the event it becomes necessary to close school due to inclement weather or other causes, announcements will be made on KYW News Radio 1060 and through ParentSquare, WT-TV Channel 9/36, Facebook, and the District website (www.wtps.org). Washington Township is announced as number 803. We ask parents to refrain from phoning radio stations, school personnel, the police department, or private numbers.
When schools are closed in Washington Township, no transportation will be furnished to any other schools. Occasionally it becomes necessary to dismiss Washington Township Public Schools prior to the regular dismissal time due to inclement weather or other causes. Parents and guardians will be notified immediately of the decision to dismiss early through ParentSquare. We share parents' concern over young children going home at a time when no one is home to receive them, and we ask that parents instruct their children on what to do in the event they are not at home. Parents should make emergency plan arrangements with a friend or neighbor for child care and review that plan with their children so that every child knows what to do and where to go if school is dismissed early.