School Delays, Flexible Instruction Days and School Closings

  • At times, Steel Center for Career and Technical Education may need to operate on a two-hour delay, flexible instruction day, or close school/cancel classes due to inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions. This is done to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff. These decisions are made in coordination with our sending school districts and are based on factors such as hazardous travel conditions, facility concerns, or other emergencies. Our priority is to maintain a safe learning environment while minimizing disruptions to students’ education.

     

    2-Hour Delays

    Steel Center will go on a 2-hour delay based on:

    1. Safety: If road conditions in our immediate area (as well as snow removal on the Steel Center campus) jeopardizes the safety of our students and staff.
    2. When a significant percentage of our students attend districts that are on a 2-hour delay. (example: If all districts are on a 2-hour delay except for Elizabeth Forward and West Jefferson Hills, 79% of Steel Center students are operating under a modified day). 

    Students, families, staff, and member school districts will be notified of a 2-hour delay by 6:15 AM through the automated system, our website, social media pages, and through KDKA,  WPXI, and WTAE.

    • Delays could be based on either hazardous conditions caused by precipitation or extreme temperatures.
    • Steel Center will make this decision by 6:15 AM.
    • When Steel Center is on a 2-hour delay, we will follow the delay schedule listed below:

    Morning Session: 9:25 AM to 11:25 AM. 
    Students from Baldwin-Whitehall, Brentwood, South Allegheny, and West Jefferson Hills will attend classes at Steel Center during these times.  Clairton, and Steel Valley will not attend classes. Arrival and departure of students may vary based on their member school district's schedule and transportation. 

    Afternoon Session: 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. 
    Students from Bethel Park, Elizabeth Forward, South Park, and West Mifflin attend classes at Steel Center during this time. Arrival and departure of students may vary based on their member school district's schedule and transportation.

    Student transportation is provided by their school districts. Specific questions regarding transportation should be directed to the appropriate staff member or office within a student school district.

     

    School Closure: Flexible Instruction Day

    Steel Center will close school for In-Person Learning based on:

    • Safety: If road conditions in our immediate area (as well as snow removal on the Steel Center campus) and/or health and safety factors that jeopardize the health and safety of our students and staff.
    • When a significant percentage of our students attend districts that are closed or on a remote learning day due to weather or other safety reasons. (example: If all districts are closed or on a remote learning day, delay except for Clairton and South Park, school for 87% of Steel Center students is closed or on remote). 

    • This decision may be made by 6:15 AM, or it could be made in conjunction with a 2-hour delay in which the status would change from a delay to closing.
    • Students, families, staff, and member school districts will be notified by 6:15 AM through the automated system, our website, social media pages, and through KDKA,  WPXI, and WTAE. 

     

    Expectations

    • All students will follow the instructions provided by their teacher (The plan for each class is listed below).
    • If students do not attend the virtual meeting for their class (or follow the attendance procedures for the class), they will need to provide a valid written excuse, or it will be marked as unexcused.
    • Any assignments that are not completed will be recorded as a zero.

     

    Support. 

    There may be occasions where Steel Center will operate on time. However, some Steel Center morning schools will operate on a two hour delay. In those circumstances, students should follow their member districts' schedule regarding delays or closures. If that results in an absence from Steel Center, it will not be held against the students' attendance. Student drivers whose member school district is operating on a delay, should not drive to Steel Center during their regular arrival time but follow their member school districts schedule.

     

    School Closure: Classes Canceled

    If circumstances prohibit Steel Center from operating a Flexible Instruction day, classes will be canceled for the day. The day will be made up as a make-up day on the school calendar. Students will not be required to log into CANVAS. 

    This information will be communicated through the automated system, our website, social media pages, and through KDKA,  WPXI, and WTAE.