Abernethy Elementary School

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Meteorologist Rod Hill of KGW recently issued a winter forecast that projected 8 to 10 inches of snow, including possible early snow in November or December. If that turns out to be correct, that would be much earlier snow than last school year, when our first weather-caused disruption to the regular classroom schedule did not come until Feb. 5.

Whatever the accuracy of the forecast, it seems a good time for a refresher for the Portland Public Schools community about how we let you know about school closures and delays caused by weather, or school emergencies or other special events. Here are the ways we get that information to you:

School Messenger: You can get text alerts and auto-dialer calls on your cell phone with important news and updates. Text “Yes” or “Y” to 68453.

Website: Our website, www.pps.net, will have immediate updates. Look for a yellow bar across the top of the home page when there is an urgent situation or weather-related closures.

Twitter: We put out urgent communications on this social media platform. Simply follow our account to get updates.

Facebook: We also put urgent communications on Facebook. “Like” our account to get posts into your timeline.

Phone calls: Auto-dialer calls go to the primary numbers on the student registration form in all supported languages. Remember to update contact information with your school if your phone number changes.

The decisions about weather-caused closures and delays are made after a PPS transportation crew personally inspects roads starting at 2:30 a.m., and consultations with a large group of experts and district leaders. Read more about the process in a PPS Pulse story from March.