Three-hour weather delay schedule to start this school year

The Bellefonte Area school board approved the decision of a three-hour school delay option that can rollout this school year, if necessary. The idea behind the decision was to limit the number of canceled school days due to weather, by extending the delay. That could allow more time for snow and ice maintenance making it a safer transport of students to school, and without having to miss a full day of instruction.

Statement from Superintendent Michelle Saylor

Winter weather is right around the corner and we want to share with our community that beginning this year (2017-2018 school year) the Bellefonte Area School District will be instituting a 3 hour delay schedule.  This is being implemented in collaboration with our surrounding districts.

Please be aware, that depending upon the morning weather conditions, we may call a one hour delay, a two hour delay, a three hour delay, or a cancellation.  This may also still be progressive.  We may start with an initial call of a one hour delay and then call a two or three hour delay or even a cancellation as we receive more information.

The decision will be made based upon all current information available and the call will be issued to ensure the safest travel conditions for our students and staff while still considering the educational value the day affords.  For example, if your child attends the middle or high school, your normal start time is 8:00, the corresponding delayed start times will be 9:00, 10:00, and 11:00.  If your child attends Bellefonte, Benner, Marion Walker, or Pleasant Gap elementary schools the normal start time is 8:10 with corresponding delayed start times of 9:10, 10:10, and 11:10.

The time your bus picks up your child would fluctuate accordingly with the delayed starts.