May 11, 2026
Dear Lockport City School District Learning Community,
I am writing to share an important update regarding how the district will respond to emergency closures and extreme heat conditions for the remainder of the 2025–2026 school year.
Due to the use of all remaining emergency closure days, including several State of Emergency declarations, the district no longer has additional unused closure days available. As a result, we must utilize alternative instructional methods to ensure continuity of learning.
I want to be very clear: our priority remains keeping students safe while providing in-person instruction whenever possible.
New York State Requirements for Extreme Heat
As of September 1, 2025, New York State Education Law §409-n requires school districts to take specific action when classroom temperatures reach certain levels:
82°F or higher: Classrooms are considered to be in an Extreme Heat Condition
88°F or higher: Classrooms must not be occupied; students and staff must be relocated or dismissed
The law also allows school districts to transition to remote instruction when temperatures are expected to reach unsafe levels. The Superintendent is authorized to make these determinations.
Our Approach Moving Forward
1. Primary Plan: In-Person Learning (Morning) + Remote Instruction (Afternoon)
Whenever conditions allow, our first priority will be to bring students into school for in-person instruction during the morning hours.
Morning Start Times:
Grades K–4: 9:10 AM
Grades 5–6: 8:37 AM
Grades 7–8: 8:06 AM
Lockport High School (9–12): 7:40 AM
Lockport High School West (9–12): 7:20 AM
Breakfast will be served. Students will also receive a bagged lunch to take home.
Half-Day Dismissal:
Grades K–4: 11:50 AM
Grades 5–6: 11:17 AM
Grades 7–8: 10:46 AM
LHS: 10:20 AM
LHS West: 10:11 AM
Afternoon Remote Instruction (Same Day): (Begins approximately one hour after dismissal)
Grades K–4: 12:50 PM
Grades 5–6: 12:17 PM
Grades 7–8: 11:56 AM
LHS: 11:20 AM
LHS West: 11:15 AM
2. Secondary Plan Full-Day Remote Instruction
If conditions are unsafe for opening schools, the district will shift to a full day of remote instruction following regular daily schedules.
Communication with Families
We will monitor conditions closely and provide as much advance notice as possible—ideally the evening before any change.
Additionally, the district has launched a dedicated Remote Instruction Information webpage. This webpage includes:
The district’s remote learning plan
Daily instructional schedules
Online etiquette expectations
Technology support information
Questions and answers
Additional resources for staff, students, and families.
Preparing for Implementation
May 11–15: The district will confirm home internet access - if you need wi-fi access at home for remote instruction, please click here to complete the MiFi Hotspot Request Form.
May 18–22: The district will check all student devices
May 25–June 5: The district will distribute devices and begin practice use
June 7–June 26: The district will implement its plan as needed
Additional Important Information
Chromebook/iPad Distribution - Devices will be distributed between May 25 and June 5. Students will begin using them for assignments during this time. If there are any issues, please contact your child’s school so we can resolve them promptly.
Instructional Platform - Remote learning may include sharing materials through Google Classroom, with live instruction conducted daily synchronously via Google Meet following the schedule. Students are expected to attend all live sessions and follow district expectations for online learning.
Attendance - Attendance will be taken daily. If your child is unable to participate, please notify your child’s school or teacher.
Schedules
Grades K–6 will follow their regular daily schedules
Grades 7–12 will follow a modified daily schedule for afternoon remote instruction only and follow the regular schedule for full day remote instruction. - (These schedules will be shared by principals and posted online.)
Specials (K–6) - Art, Music, PE, STEM, and Library will occur at their regular times within the classroom’s Google session. Students will not need to log in separately. Chorus and band students will follow their regular schedule and join the teachers google meet at that time.
Academic Intervention Services (AIS), band, chorus, and related services; speech, counseling, etc. will join their service provider on a separate google meet with the code shared during their regularly scheduled times.
Specific Special Education Programs - Some self-contained classrooms will continue in-person instruction. Families of those students will be contacted directly. All other students should participate remotely.
Online Etiquette - Guidelines for online learning are posted on the district’s Remote Instruction webpage. Families are asked to review these expectations with their children.
CTE / ON BOCES Programming
Half-Day Schedule (Primary Plan Days):
AM BOCES Students: Students who normally attend BOCES in the morning will continue to do so. The district will provide transportation to BOCES as usual.
After the BOCES session concludes, students who typically walk home will be transported back to their high school for dismissal.
Students who normally receive bus transportation home will be transported directly home from BOCES.
PM BOCES Students: Students who normally attend BOCES in the afternoon will also continue to do so. Transportation will be provided to BOCES as usual.
After the BOCES session concludes, students who typically walk home will be transported back to their high school for dismissal.
Students who normally receive bus transportation home will be transported directly home from BOCES.
This ensures that all CTE programming continues without interruption, even on adjusted schedule days.
Preschool (John Pound Early Childhood Center)
All preschool programs will continue in person as normal due to air-conditioned classrooms.
Meals
Breakfast will be served daily. Lunch will be provided and sent home with students on half days.
Technology Support
A dedicated support team is available to assist families. Information is available on the district’s Remote Instruction webpage.
Final Thoughts
We understand that adjustments like this can be challenging. Please know that every decision we make is grounded in two priorities: keeping our students safe and ensuring they continue to learn at high levels.
We remain committed to providing consistent, high-quality instruction—whether in our classrooms or remotely.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact your child’s classroom teacher or school principal.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mathis Calvin III
Superintendent of Schools