Inclement Weather & Building Closing Policy

DAYS, EVENING MEETINGS, SUNDAY MEETINGS:

            Decisions will be made by the Executive Director in concert with the appropriate committee chair or professional.  If it is necessary to cancel or postpone meetings and/or classes a timely announcement will be broadcast via email.

MORNING and EVENING MINYANS:

            If Montgomery County Schools are closed or delayed then morning minyan is canceled.  If Montgomery County Schools cancel evening activities then evening minyan is canceled. No other notification will be given for these events.

The notice from the school system can be found at: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/

The notice for evening programs in the school system can be found at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cupf/

PRESCHOOL:

            For the first day of any weather event, we follow the decision of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).  MCPS usually makes a decision around 5 am.  If they are closed, we are closed.  If MCPS delays school opening, Gates of Discovery will open at 10:00 am, regardless of the number of hours Montgomery County Schools are delayed.

            Subsequent day closings in the same event will be made at the discretion of Gates of Discovery.  This will be influenced by our knowledge of road conditions, the ability of families and staff to safely travel to school, the conditions at the school facility and other factors.

            If there is electricity and we are able, we will send an email to all families when there is a closure or a delay.  Otherwise, please follow MCPS’s decision. 

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL:

            Any decision to close Chavaya Sunday school will be announced on our website, via email, and on our Facebook and Twitter accounts no later than 7 am Sunday morning.

SHAARE TEFILA YOUTH DEPARTMENT:

         Chapter events will be cancelled on a case-by-case basis.  Those who have RSVP’d to the event will be notified via email and/or phone call.

SHABBAT SERVICES:

            We do not cancel Shabbat Services.         

In all cases every effort will be made to send an email broadcast and change the outgoing voice mail message at 301-593-3410.  Outgoing voice mail messages indicating the building is closed will announce the date(s) for which the message is valid.  IF THERE ARE NO CLOSURES, THE MESSAGE WILL NOT BE CHANGED.  [Please note that it is not always possible to change the outgoing voice mail message or send an email.]

In all cases – please be sure to consider your safety first and do not attend an event if you feel that will put you in harm’s way.