Each year the possibility of impassable roads, hazardous driving conditions, and mechanical breakdown of heating or water systems makes it necessary to plan for such emergencies.

When weather forecasts indicate the possibility of hazardous driving conditions or impassable roads, the decision to close school will be made prior to 5:45 AM on the day of the closing. The decision will be announced periodically by the following radio and television stations:

Radio Stations
WCOJ - Coatesville (1420 AM)
WDEL - Wilmington (1150 AM)
WKYW - Philadelphia (1060 AM) #850
WJBR - Wilmington (99.5 FM)
WSTW - Wilmington (93.7 FM)
WILM - Wilmington (1450 AM)

Television Stations
WGAL - Lancaster (Channel 8)
WCAU - Philadelphia (Channel 10)
WPVI - Philadelphia (Channel 6)
FOX - Philadelphia (Channel 29)

Radio announcements will be made only if school will be closed or if the starting time is to be delayed. If a delayed starting time is announced, continue to listen to the station until your child leaves home for the bus. Occasionally, weather conditions worsen and it becomes necessary to close school after a delayed opening has been announced. Radio stations will not announce schools that are open. This means that "No Announcement" indicates that the school will be open as usual. Students who attend the Vo-Tech School at Coatesville will be expected to attend school if the UCF Schools are in session.

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:

Chadds Ford Elementary - (610) 388-1112
Hillendale Elementary School - (610) 388-1439
Pocopson Elementary School - (610) 793-9241
Unionville Elementary School - (610) 347-1700
Charles F. Patton Middle School - (610) 347-2000
Unionville High School - (610) 347-1600

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Central Office - (610) 347-0970

Information will also be available via the district's web site at www.ucfsd.org and the district's listservs. To receive e-mail announcements such as School Closings, join the UCFeNews, or other, ListServs.

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.

This year, kindergarten students will have a modified day when the schools have a delayed opening. The following time schedule will be in operation for all elementary schools:

Morning Session: 10:55 AM - 12:40 AM
Afternoon Session: 1:40 PM - 3:25 PM

AM bus pickup will be delayed by two hours.