Dear Jefferson-Morgan Families,
With the winter weather season approaching, we want to remind our families of the district’s procedures for delaying or canceling the school day to help you plan accordingly and to share information about how the district uses Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) in place of canceling classes due to inclement weather.
The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and we take the decision to delay or cancel classes very seriously. During a winter weather event, we carefully assess all relevant factors, including current road conditions and the day’s forecast. Our goal is always to ensure student safety while maintaining instructional time whenever possible. We also consult with other county school districts, local municipal workers, and our contracted bus company, who travel district roads early in the morning to help us assess conditions.
Please note that delays or cancellations can also occur for other unexpected reasons, such as a water main break, power outage, or other significant event. We encourage all families to have plans in place should the district need to delay, cancel, or dismiss students early.
While many Jefferson-Morgan families are already familiar with our procedures, the following information serves as a reminder:
● The decision to delay or cancel school will be communicated whenever possible before 6:00 a.m. or, when feasible, the night before. Occasionally, changing weather conditions may require a later decision.
● The Jefferson-Morgan School District website, www.jmsd.org, will always contain the latest updates regarding delays, closings, and other important announcements.
● Families can now receive updates and alerts through ParentSquare, our district’s unified communication platform. As long as your contact information is correct in ALMA, you will automatically receive messages by email, phone, and text through ParentSquare.
● In addition to ParentSquare, information is shared through the district website, social media, WANB Radio, and local television stations (KDKA, WPXI, and WTAE). Please note that the school district cannot control how quickly television updates appear on-air. Families may wish to sign up for electronic alerts directly through the stations’ websites.
Early Dismissal Plans:
If Jefferson-Morgan must dismiss early, please ensure your family has appropriate childcare arrangements and dismissal plans in place. It is also important to confirm that your emergency contact information is up to date. To make changes, please call your student’s school office.
Please remember that parents and guardians always have the final say in determining whether their student should attend school during winter weather conditions. While we strive to make the best possible decisions with the information available, unexpected weather changes may occur.
Flexible Instructional Days (FID):
Jefferson-Morgan will continue to utilize Flexible Instructional Days to avoid making up days due to unexpected emergency closures. For the 2025–2026 school year, these days will primarily be used in place of cancellations caused by inclement weather. Once we have used our allotted FID days, the district may decide to make up missed days in person, cancel the day entirely, or schedule a professional development day for teachers, as permitted by current school laws.
If the district cancels in-person instruction, all students will participate in remote learning using their district-issued devices or grade-level materials.
● The transition to a Flexible Instructional Day will be announced through ParentSquare, as well as on the district website and social media.
● Flexible Instructional Days will operate from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Logging in During a Flexible Instructional Day:
● All classes will operate asynchronously, with teachers available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to answer questions and provide assistance.
● Each school will take attendance and require completion of assigned work.
● Principals will communicate specific expectations and absence procedures for their buildings.
We thank you in advance for your continued support and cooperation as we navigate the winter weather season. School cancellations and delays are among the toughest parts of my job, but every decision is made with careful consideration for our students’ safety and well-being.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brandon W. Robinson
Superintendent of Schools
Jefferson-Morgan School District
724-883-2310 ext. 1222