School Closing Information
Emergency School Closing Procedures
THE UCFSD SCHOOL CLOSING NUMBER IS 850
Some closings due to poor road conditions, weather, or any other unsafe situation are inevitable and should be planned for. The district will communicate closings as early as possible, the night before if possible or in the morning.
All parents are automatically signed up to receive school notifications and will be contacted by phone and via email using the contact information the school has on record.
Additionally, school closing information will be posted to the school website, facebook, Instagram and X (formally Twitter) - we will also notify local TV stations.
If it becomes necessary to close school early during the school day, an announcement of this will be made by the same stations as soon as possible. If both parents work, or if it is possible that your child may arrive home alone, it is suggested that you discuss these situations with your child now. During emergency dismissals of this nature, the high and middle school children will be dismissed first and the elementary school children last, unless otherwise announced. This arrangement will decrease the likelihood of having younger children at home alone. Morning Kindergarten classes will be sent home on the elementary busses. If the district schools are closed for the day, or close early, all district-operated transportation, including the transportation of nonpublic students, will follow the same schedule.
NOTE: Building offices receive hundreds of telephone calls each day. Emergency school closings result in a substantial increase in this number. Each school is equipped with a phone system that will provide you with school delay or closing information. Please use the following numbers for emergency school closing information:
Information will also be available via the district's web site, social media and via email. Parents of students are automatically signed-up to receive e-mail announcements such as School Closings.
Two Hour Delays
In the event of a Two hour Delay, Bus Pickup times will be two hours later than your regularly scheduled time.
Three Hour Delays
In the event of a Three hour Delay, Bus Pickup times will be three hours later than your regularly scheduled time.
No Lunch Served.
Closing and Delay Criteria
The decision whether to open school on time, to call for a delayed opening, or to cancel school altogether is made by the Superintendent based on data received by Accu-Weather, the Chester County Intermediate Unit, state and local police, municipal authorities, and the U-CFSD Transportation and Operations Departments. Data is also provided as staff members, including the Superintendent, test drive the roads. The Superintendent also consults with administrators in neighboring districts for data sharing. The final decision is generally made between 5:00-5:30 AM. In rare, extreme circumstances the decision may be made the night prior to the closure.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District will be in session when the weather and road conditions allow for safe and timely bus transportation for student riders. Should road and weather conditions warrant a delayed opening or a closure, notice of a change in school hours will be posted on the district email and website, and broadcast on area radio and television stations.
Terms Used for Kindergarten Schedules
The following times and language will be used to describe kindergarten schedules. We have adjusted the language to be in line with area news agency terminology when announcing inclement weather delays and closures.
Schedule |
AM Session |
PM Session |
Regular |
9:10 AM – 11:45 AM |
1:05 PM – 3:40 PM |
Two Hour Delay |
11:10 AM – 12:55 PM |
1:55 PM – 3:40 PM |
Three Hour Delay (Modified Schedule) |
12:10 PM - 1:40 PM | 2:10 PM - 3:40 PM |
Early Dismissal |
9:10 AM – 10:40 AM |
10:55 AM – 12:25 PM |