Severe Weather Plans

Student and employee safety is a priority at Pelham City Schools. PCS officials continuously monitor severe weather reports in collaboration with the National Weather Service, the Shelby County EMA, neighboring school systems, and the Pelham Police Department. 

Pelham City Schools will promptly notify parents and employees whenever severe weather requires schools to close, open late, or dismiss early. Decisions are announced after it is determined with certainty that the school day will be impacted by severe weather. 

PCS uses several communication channels to announce these decisions. Our primary method of communication with families is via phone call, email and text through our rapid notification system. Messages are sent to contact information for custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) on the student’s record in PowerSchool. If you are not receiving messages or need to make any updates to contact information, please contact the registrar at the school your student attends. 

Delayed Opening
If severe weather occurs overnight or during the early morning hours, a decision may be made for school openings to be delayed. When this happens, schools may follow a modified lunch and bell schedule. Depending on the length of the delay, breakfast may not be served. Any activities scheduled before school (such as Early Bird Care) will be canceled.

To determine the delayed start time, add the total number of hours of the delay to the start time of the regular school day. Buses and carpool will run on a modified schedule based on the number of hours the school start time is delayed. 

Early Dismissal
If severe weather is predicted to occur later in the school day, a decision may be made to dismiss schools early. PCS officials will monitor conditions throughout the day to determine necessary actions. Buses and carpool will run on a modified schedule based on the time of the dismissal. After-school Extended Day, athletic events, practices, and other extracurricular activities may be canceled or postponed.

To determine the early dismissal time, subtract the total number of hours of the early dismissal from the end time of the regular school day. Buses and carpool will run on a modified schedule based on the number of hours the school end time is adjusted. 

School Closings
If schools must be closed for an entire day, the missed day will be made up later in the school year. An exception occurs when state or federal officials declare a state of emergency for our area. When this occurs, a make-up day is not required. 

Reminders

  • Parents are encouraged to keep contact information up to date in PowerSchool, which feeds into our rapid notification system. To update your contact information, please contact your school’s registrar.
  • Please monitor the following PCS communication channels for severe weather announcements:
  • Rapid Notification System (phone call, text message, email)
  • Website (www.pelhamcityschools.org)
  • Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)