Closings, Delays & Early Dismissals
Students’ safety and welfare is the District’s primary concern at all times.
- The decision to close or delay school opening is made by 5:30AM.
- Determinations are made according to conditions within the district. If weather conditions worsen or other situations arise during the school day, an early dismissal decision may be made.
- Notifications for closings, delays and early dismissals are sent to staff and families via ParentSquare phone and email messages, and posted on the District homepage. They are also posted on the district Facebook (@southorangetowncsd) and Instagram (@southorangetowncsd) feeds and submitted to WHUD/100.7 FM, WRCR/1700 AM and News12.
- Families are strongly encouraged to have a family emergency plan in place in the event that school is delayed, canceled or dismissed early.
- Transportation delays should be expected during times of extreme cold, ice, heavy rain and/or snow, even if schools are not closed or delayed. Transportation is not provided to out-of-district and non-public schools on snow days or days when Rockland BOCES is closed.
Delayed Opening
Morning buses arrive two hours later than their regularly scheduled time. Schools open as follows:
- SOMS & TZHS: 10:15am
- WOS (K-5) & CLE: 11:15am
- WOS UPK: 11:35am
No breakfast, but lunch is served. Elementary school parents are encouraged to ask their children to let their teachers know if they need a snack on days when breakfast is not served.
The Rockland County YMCA Before Care program is cancelled.
Early Dismissal
Early dismissals may be scheduled (e.g., Superintendent’s Conference Days) or called in anticipation of inclement weather. Students are dismissed as follows:
- SOMS & TZHS: 11:15am
- WOS (UPK-5) & CLE: 12:30pm
Breakfast, but no lunch, is served.
After-school activities, Continuing Education classes, and the YMCA program are canceled.
Students are bused to their regular afternoon stops, including alternate sites. NOTE: If the district is notified by a child care provider that they are closing due to inclement weather, those students will be bused directly home.
The Rockland County YMCA After Care program is cancelled and students who would normally attend the program are bused home.
Emergency Dismissal
Students in one or more buildings may be dismissed early due to an emergency. If students may not be dismissed at the standard Early Dismissal time, all busing-eligible students are bused home. Alternative site day care transportation arrangements will not be honored in the event of an emergency dismissal.
WOS parents should ensure that they have a bus designee available to meet their children at their home bus stop in the event of an emergency dismissal as the school may not have the staff resources required to receive students returned to school. Students in grades 3 and up are permitted to exit buses without an adult and should be prepared to gain access to their homes in the event of an early arrival.
View the Emergency Response webpage for additional information.