Greetings Trinity Area Parents/Guardians and Staff, 

I hope this message finds you and your family safe and warm. While we have been fortunate in recent years to experience relatively mild winters, this season has presented new and ongoing challenges. Important information regarding Flexible Instructional Days (FIDs) and other options moving forward is outlined below.

The Week Ahead
The remainder of this week and the upcoming weekend are forecasted to be extremely cold. I have significant concerns regarding student safety at bus stops due to excessive snow accumulation that may limit the amount of space where students can safely walk and stand. Additionally, potential bus delays could result in students being exposed to dangerously cold temperatures for extended periods of time.

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 will be a Flexible Instructional Day. 
Families are encouraged to begin planning for the possibility that additional remote instructional days may be necessary later this week, including Thursday and Friday, should weather conditions not improve. Any decisions regarding school operations will be communicated as soon as they are thoughtfully and carefully made. 

Please ensure your children are dressed appropriately. We invite families in need of insulated clothing to contact their building principal for assistance.

Potential Future School Delays, FIDs/Remote Instruction, and School Closures
If inclement weather continues into February and March, the district may need to utilize FIDs/remote instruction or school closures, depending upon conditions.

• School Delays may be considered if weather is expected to improve by morning, allowing for additional daylight, bus warm-up time, and continued snow removal efforts.

• FIDs / Remote Instruction: The Pennsylvania Department of Education permits school districts to utilize five (5) FIDs per school year and, if necessary, transition to remote instructional days if in-person attendance is determined to be unsafe. If Trinity uses a total of five (5) FIDs and needs to move to “remote learning” thereafter, the protocol for students and staff will remain the same.

• School Closures: Even with the ability to teach remotely, school districts sometimes need to close school entirely due to unexpected situations that arise. Although the school closure on Monday, January 26, 2026 will not result in an update to the school calendar, any additional school closures may require adjustments. 

Trinity Area School District is fortunate to be able to offer live remote instruction when needed - an option not available in many districts. This is made possible by our outstanding teachers, whose professionalism, adaptability, and dedication allow them to deliver high-quality instruction while maintaining strong connections with students and families, regardless of location.

We recognize the inconvenience these circumstances may cause and truly appreciate everyone’s efforts to make the best of a challenging situation. We sincerely thank our teachers, students, and families for their continued flexibility, cooperation, and understanding. 

Stay safe and warm,

Dr. Michael P. Lucas