2026-2027 School Closing Plan
Due to Employee Absences and Bus Driver Shortages
Translation Statement
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BENGALI — BANGLA বাংলা
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ei nothiti anubad korte: ei prishthar uporer angshe 'axesibiliti and translation' (Accessibility and Translation) toolbarti royeche. anno kono bhashay nothiti dekhte 'Translate'-a click karun ebong aapnar pochonder bhasati nirbachon korun.
URDU — ARDOاردو
اس دستاویز کا ترجمہ کرنے کے لیے: 'ایکسیسیبلٹی اینڈ ٹرانسلیشن' (Accessibility and Translation) ٹول بار اس صفحے کے اوپری حصے میں موجود ہے۔ اس دستاویز کو کسی دوسری زبان میں دیکھنے کے لیے 'Translate' پر کلک کریں اور اپنی پسندیدہ زبان منتخب کریں۔
is dastavez ka tarjamah karne ke liye: 'exisibleti and translation' (Accessibility and Translation) tol bar is safhe ke operi hissay min mojud hay. is dastavez ko kasi dosari zaban min dekhane ke liye 'Translate' par kalk karin or apani pasandidah zaban mantakhab karin.
VIETNAMESE — TIẾNG VIỆT
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litarjamat hadhih alwathiqati: yujad sharit 'adawat 'iimkaniat alwusul waltarjamat fi 'aelaa hadhih alsafhati. anqur ealaa "tarjamati" (Translate) wakhtar allughat alati tufadiluha lieard hadhih alwathiqat bilughat 'ukhraa.
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The Upper Darby School District is committed to ensuring this document is accessible to all users. Through Smore's ADA-compliant platform, visitors can use the Accessibility and Translation toolbar to adjust text size, enable high-contrast mode, use a screen reader, and access other accessibility features. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the accessibility of this document, please contact Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, at abeauford@upperdarbysd.org.
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This document is subject to periodic revisions and updates. We strive to ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date; however, changes may occur over time and without prior notice. Please consult the latest version of this document for the most current information.
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While we strive to ensure the accuracy and quality of our content, there may be occasional errors or inaccuracies. If you come across any mistakes or issues, please contact us to let us know: Aaronda Q. Beauford, Director of Communications, abeauford@upperdarbysd.org. We appreciate your feedback and will do our best to address any concerns promptly. Thank you for your understanding and assistance in improving our work.
2026-2027 School Closing Plan Due to Employee Absences and Bus Driver Shortages
The ongoing national shortage of teachers, school bus drivers, and substitute personnel continues to impact school districts across the country and has remained a significant challenge for several years. Despite ongoing recruitment and retention efforts many districts, including Upper Darby School District, continue to experience staffing shortages that affect daily operations.
Upper Darby School District recognizes that teacher and bus driver absenteeism, coupled with the persistent shortage of qualified substitutes, presents challenges for students, families, and schools. To ensure the continuity of quality instruction and sustain the consistent operation of our schools, the following plan will be implemented when teacher and bus driver absences exceed the administration’s ability to cover staffing needs with available District personnel and substitutes.
District administrators will monitor and review staff absences daily and implement appropriate measures as necessary to maintain safe and effective school operations.
Please note that this plan only applies to school closings due to employee absences and bus driver shortages. Refer to the Upper Darby School District Emergency School Closing Communications Plan for school closures due to serious incidents or inclement weather.
When do schools close due to staff shortages?
Elementary Schools
Staffing shortages can create unique operational challenges at the Kindergarten Center and in elementary schools can impact the Kindergarten Center and elementary schools in distinct ways due to greater developmental and supervision needs.
If staffing shortages at the Kindergarten Center or an elementary school result in insufficient school-based staff, district personnel, and qualified substitutes to safely supervise students and operate classrooms and common areas, the affected school may be temporarily closed.
Secondary Schools
If staffing shortages at the middle schools or the high school result insufficient school-based staff, district personnel, and qualified substitutes to safely supervise students and operate classrooms and common areas given the school schedule and/or school activities, the affected school may be temporarily closed:
A temporary closure may be implemented when the following staffing thresholds are met:
If Beverly Hills Middle school has 15 or more teacher absences
If Clifton Heights Middle School has 13 or more teacher absences
If Drexel Hill Middle School has 15 or more teachers absence
If Upper Darby High School has 35 or more teacher absences
When do schools close due to bus driver shortages?
The Transportation Services Department is diligently working to fully staff school bus driver positions to ensure smooth and reliable transportation for all eligible students. However, in the event of insufficient driver availability, this section outlines the prioritized transportation plan in advance.
The following school closure plan related to bus driver shortages applies to the Kindergarten Center, all elementary schools, and all secondary schools.
If the Upper Darby School District has more than 15 bus drivers absent without enough substitute bus drivers, then all schools will be temporarily closed.
Priority will be given to the following transportation routes:
Special education students
In-district elementary students
In-district secondary students
Charter school students
Please note that there may be instances in which a bus run cannot be established for a school if there are insufficient students to justify the route. If bus transportation cannot be provided, an alternative mode of transportation, such as a SEPTA farecard, will be discussed with families, as appropriate.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to address these challenges.
When will parents be notified of school closures due to staff
shortages and/or bus driver shortages?
Notice of school closures due to staff shortages and/or bus shortages will be provided as soon as possible.
Please note that due to the unpredictability of staff absences, communication regarding the decision may be sent the morning of the schedule change.
How will parents be notified of school closures due to staff
shortages and/or bus driver shortages?
Notice of school closing will be provided in the following ways:
Through a mass ParentLink email to the parent/guardian email addresses on file in the Home Access Center (HAC). The email will be accompanied with the a voicemail message
Through a voice message to the parent/guardian phone number on file in the Home Access Center (HAC). The voice message will be accompanied with the notification email
On the District’s website homepage
Across the District’s social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram and X)
All district staff will be notified via a mass ParentLink email.
Any updates will be provided through the same communication chann
What is the instructional plan for the day of the school closure?
Schools impacted by a staffing-related school closure may be provided with asynchronous instruction, synchronous instruction or a combination of both modes of learning. The instructional mode will be determined by the availability of certified professionals and substitute teachers, student class/section sizes, grade-level needs, and other staffing-related variables.
Our Commitment to Continuous Learning
The Upper Darby School District is committed to ensuring that every student receives consistent and quality education. In situations where a teacher or bus driver absence is manageable, we are dedicated to keeping students in school. We prioritize maintaining a stable learning environment and will take all necessary measures to address absences effectively while minimizing disruption to our students’ education.