School Closings & Delays

In addition to posts on this website, the district communicates emergency school closings and delays in following ways:

  • DCS uses the One Call Now mass notification system to contact parents/guardians. This system uses contact numbers parents/guardians have provided to the district.
  • DCS shares information with local media, via the School Closings Network, to include in TV newscasts and media websites.

It is best to rely on more than one source of information for weather-related announcements.

School Closings Network 

The district participates in The School Closings Network, with  closings, delays or cancellations announced on the websites of media participating in the network and on the following television stations:

  • Channel 6 (WRGB CBS6)
  • Spectrum News (formerly Time Warner Cable or YNN)
  • Channel 10 (WTEN)
  • Channel 13 (WNYT)
  • Fox 23 (WXXA)

Participating media, in addition to the above stations, include: The Times Union, Daily Gazette, Post-Star, WFLY/ FLY 92, WGY/ 810 A.M., WRVE /The River 99.5 F.M. and WYJB/B-95.5 F.M.

No breakfast will be served in the event of a two-hour delay.

How and when are decisions made?

When DCS needs to determine whether school will be delayed or closed, we start just before 5 a.m., checking with county/town road crews and our transportation and buildings and grounds supervisors, speaking with local school district superintendents and reviewing updated weather forecasts.

The goal is to make a decision when possible no later than 6 a.m. for a two-hour delay and no later than 7 a.m. as to whether we will close entirely.

When school is closed or dismissed early, all after-school activities are canceled unless otherwise scheduled by the superintendent. The Y After-School Child Care program will be closed if school closes early or if all after-school activities are canceled.