Weather Procedures
The safety of our students and staff is our priority, so in the event of extreme weather it may be necessary to modify our school schedules. Parents are advised to use their best judgment in determining whether to send their children to school during in the case of bad weather or dangerous road conditions.
In the event of special weather arrangements, the Education Bureau will make a decision by 6 a.m. and this information will be distributed to the media. For more information please refer to their guidelines.
Under normal circumstances, HKIS will follow the Government’s recommendation and any alerts will be posted on the website and DragonNet. HKIS will not call parents directly and parents are responsible for checking for any announcements.
Please note there are times when localized weather conditions on the south side of the island are very different from territory-wide predictions. In circumstances where HKIS needs to take action different from the Government’s recommendation, parents will be alerted and notices will be posted on HKIS Central.
What happens when the signal is raised before school starts:
|
Typhoon 1 |
All R1-12 classes are in session. |
|
Typhoon 3 |
R1 classes are cancelled. R2-12 classes are in session. |
|
Typhoon 8 and above |
All schools are closed - learning activities will be determined on the day. |
|
Amber Rainstorm |
All R1-12 classes are in session. |
|
Red Rainstorm |
All schools are closed - learning activities will be determined on the day. |
|
Black Rainstorm |
All schools are closed - learning activities will be determined on the day. |
What we do when the signal is raised during school hours:
At times a typhoon increases in intensity or a rainstorm signal is raised while children are at school. If this happens, we will use the following procedures:
|
Typhoon 1 |
All R1-12 classes will remain in session with regular dismissal times. |
|
Typhoon 3 |
All R1-12 classes will remain in session with regular dismissal times. |
|
Typhoon 8 and above |
All R1-12 classes will be dismissed.
(The notice of typhoon 8 signal being raised is given to schools several hours before it is actually hoisted, thus allowing schools enough time to make arrangements to get students home safely.)
|
|
Amber Rainstorm |
All R1-12 classes will remain in session with regular dismissal times. |
|
Red Rainstorm |
All R1-12 classes will remain in session AND* students will remain in school until conditions are safe for them to return home. |
|
Black Rainstorm |
All R1-12 classes will remain in session AND* students will remain in school until conditions are safe for them to return home. |
*Students will not be released until the warning has been removed and buses are authorized for safe travel, which could be after 3 p.m.
Black Rainstorm: The HK government strongly advises everyone to stay indoors during a Black Rainstorm warning. Driving yourself or sending someone to pick up your child during a Black Rainstorm signal is extremely dangerous and not advisable.
Typhoon 8 signal: In the case of a Typhoon 8 signal when we must dismiss the children prior to the end of the regular school day, HKIS will contact parents with the revised dismissal time. Ensure that you have procedures in place with your family and helper in the event of a typhoon 8 signal. You will need to determine who will be waiting at the bus stop for your child at the revised time. If your child regularly walks home or is picked up by car, please be prepared to come immediately to school and pick up your child from the normal meeting place.
Buses will run and complete their routes if school is in session or when students are on board. Any variation to the regular schedule will be the decision of the bus company in consultation with the school administration.
For information regarding weather conditions, we recommend the following sources:
Hong Kong Observatory website: www.weather.gov.hk
Education Bureau: www.edb.gov.hk
Hong Kong Observatory telephone: 187-8200
(Press 1 for Cantonese, 2 for Mandarin, 3 for English)
RTHK
- Radio 3: FM 97.9 (Central and environs) or FM 106.8 (Southern Hong Kong Island)
Education Bureau Leaflet: Rainstorm Warnings