Schools, PWSA Face Contradictory Weather Challenges | The Locally Times
Bethel Park converts March 31 into a makeup day for a Dec. 2 storm, while a February PWSA newsletter signals concerns over mild winter conditions.
## Bethel Park Amends Calendar for Storm Makeup Day The Bethel Park School District Board of School Directors has approved changes to the 2025-2026 school calendar to account for a school cancellation on December 2, 2025. According to a district announcement published January 29, 2026, the closure was caused by a storm the district termed severe. To make up the lost instructional time, the district has converted Tuesday, March 31, 2026, into a full instructional day for all students. Wednesday, April 1, 2026, will now serve as the official makeup day and will operate on an early dismissal schedule. The announcement specifies that kindergarten students will not attend on April 1. This schedule adjustment also affects an administrative date. The third-quarter Records Day, which involves no classes for students, was originally set for April 1. It has been moved to Monday, April 6, 2026. ## PWSA Signals Warm Winter Concerns, Replaces Lead Lines Two months after the storm that closed Bethel Park schools, the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) signaled a different environmental concern. The focus on weather impacts comes as PWSA continues major infrastructure projects. On January 8, 2026, the authority issued a press release announcing the replacement of its 14,000th lead service line. ## Other Local Agencies Adapt to New Mandates In Hopewell Township, a new rule took effect on March 1, 2026, requiring public entities to publish legal notices on their own websites rather than in newspapers. This marks a shift in how public information is disseminated to residents. Meanwhile, the Keystone Oaks School District is working to meet an April 22, 2026, deadline for full compliance with updated federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA) requirements. According to a district notice, this effort includes publishing an online, searchable list of all approved digital tools and their corresponding privacy policies to increase transparency for families.