Who makes the decision concerning school cancellations, delays, and early dismissals?

When bad weather is predicted, the Newton County School Superintendent monitors weather conditions closely. Should conditions deteriorate, the superintendent consults with local law enforcement agencies and the Newton County School System transportation director to determine if road conditions are safe. Should conditions be too dangerous, the Newton County School Superintendent will make the decision no later than 6:00 a.m. to close or delay the opening of school.(top)

How are parents notified?

Once the decision has been made to cancel or delay school, that information is posted on the Newton County School System website. Check the scrolling box on the right side of the screen (NCSS News) for closing/delay information. In addition, the school system notifies Covington's local radio station, WGFS (AM 1430) as well as the following metro-Atlanta television and radio stations:
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TELEVISION	RADIO
(click on the icons to link to a station's website)
WSB-TV  (Channel 2 Action News)	WSB - New Talk 750
WAGA-TV (Fox 5)	B98.5 FM
WXIA-TV (11 Alive)	KISS - 104.1 FM
WGCL-TV (Clear News)	WFOX - Fox 97.1
	WBTS - 95.5 The Beat
	WXIA - Star 94.1
	WGFS - AM 1430 Covington

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What do I do if school opening is delayed?

Should the Superintendent make the decision to delay the opening of school, buses would run their normal route two hours later than usually scheduled. School will begin classes two hours later than normal. Middle and high school students would report to their first period class on a delayed morning and follow an abbreviated schedule for the remainder of the day. There will be no morning session of half-day special education preschool and all parents should note that breakfast will not be served.
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What are the procedures for early dismissal?

In the event school is dismissed early, an announcement would be forwarded to radio and television stations at once. School staff members would supervise all students who usually walk, ride bicycles or ride in private vehicles and will attempt to contact parents/guardians to arrange for other transportation. Under no condition will students be left unsupervised at school. If you are not at home, your child must know an alternate place to go in the event of an emergency school closing. You should have completed a form to designate where your child should go if school closes early. Like any other day, our buses will run only their normal daily routes and cannot provide special transportation services on emergency closing days. Please be sure to discuss emergency closing directions with your child ahead of time so the child knows what you expect in these situations.(top)