Communication with Families
One thing is for certain in the Northeast, and that is we can always count on snow storms to slow down our days. Our transportation team, superintendents office and regional DOT officials help to determine snow day calls, usually very early in the morning. For big storms, forecasted early by weather officials, we can (rarely) make school decisions the night before. Otherwise, families can expect to learn about snow days bright and early in the morning.
In the event of an emergency closing or delay, the Elmira City School District will communicate with families via text, email, social media and the District website. To sign up for SMS text messaging, first you need to make sure we have a mobile record on file for you in School Tool (only District families and staff will be sent a text message--only those that have records in our contact management systems, School Tool and WinCap). Staff and District families can easily opt-in to receive these text messages now by texting Y to the short code 67587. The text messages will come from SchoolMessenger, the system we use now for phone calls and emails to families. Text messages will only be sent to cell phone numbers whose recipients have agreed to receive them. Standard rates apply.
To ensure you receive communications from the district and your child(ren)'s school(s), please verify that your contact information in SchoolTool's Parent Portal l is correct and that you are set up to receive mail.
Instructions for doing so can be found on our Families page.
Additionally, up-to-date information on school closings and delays will be posted on our district website, as well as on our Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram feeds. Updates will also be provided to local news stations for public broadcast.
Remember -- winter weather-related school closings can be expected in Upstate New York so having a snow day plan BEFORE a snow day is helpful. >>Click here to read tips for families on how to build a snow day plan.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding School Closings and Delays
Find helpful answers below to some of our most common questions -- when and how will I hear if school is closed? Who and how makes the call?