First, IMS follows the Education and Manpower Bureau directives in these cases, and we advise all parents to check the EMB website:  http://www.emb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeID=2&langno=1 to see if schools have been cancelled in the case of heavy rains or strong winds.  The Hong Kong Observatory website does not always correlate with EMB rulings on Kindergarten operations.

Please refer to your Parent Handbook for the following information.  In the case of Typhoon Eight (T8) or Black Rainstorm warning being hoisted during school hours, parents may, at your option collect their children any time after the warning is hoisted, however IMS will remain open for normal hours.  Please stay on the alert for an e-mail from school informing you of bussing options.  Castle Brothers makes an effort to collect the children at the normal time during these situations, but expect delays.  If you do not intend to have your child take the bus in this situation, please phone the school at 2861-0339 – e-mail communication is less reliable during a time such as this.

School Closing:

When Hong Kong Schools close due to inclement weather, IMS will close, too.  Closings are announced on channels TVB Pearl or ATV, as well as RTHK, as well as www.emb.gov.hk.  As always, use your best judgment whether or not to transport a child during poor driving conditions.

By law, the closing policy is categorized by age, and at times children in our Casa dei Bambini program may not have school, while Elementary children do.  (This difference only occurs before school hours start).

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals:

Please monitor the Education and Manpower Bureau website (http://www.emb.gov.hk) for school closure information, as well as radio and television broadcasts.  The EMB sometimes announces school closures even if a Typhoon 3/8 Signal has not yet been hoisted. 

Typhoon Signal No.	If Signal is Hoisted before School Begins	If Signal is Hoisted while School is in Session
1	All students attend school.	All children will remain at school and be dismissed at the normal time.
3	All students in the Kindergarten - Casa dei Bambini program (including Full Day Casa dei Bambini program) should remain at home – there will be no classes that day.	All children will remain at school and be dismissed at the normal time.
	All Elementary students attend school.
8, 9, 10	All schools are closed and all students should remain at home.	Parents will be notified, and must arrange for collection of their children as soon as possible.  Bus service is not available at such times.

Rainstorm Warnings

The wet season in Hong Kong is usually between April and September.  Please monitor the Education and Manpower Bureau website (http://www.emb.gov.hk) for school closure information, as well as radio and television broadcasts.  The EMB sometimes announces school closures even if a Red/Black rainstorm warning has not yet been hoisted.

Guidelines for the Rainstorm Warning System uses three colors to identify the severity of rainfall and what to do with your child are as follows:

Rain Signal	If Signal is Hoisted before School Begins	If Signal is Hoisted while School is in Session
Amber rain signal means heavy rain is coming.	All students attend school.	All children will remain at school and be dismissed at the normal time.
Red rain signal means heavy rain has started to fall and 50 mm of rain has accumulated in the last hour.	All schools are closed and all students should remain at home.	All children will remain at school and be dismissed at the normal time.
Black rain signal means that the accumulation of 100mm of rain has been recorded in the last two hours.	All schools are closed and all students should remain at home.	Parents should check the Education & Manpower website (www.emb.gov.hk) and monitor the radio / TV for announcements.  Parents will be asked to arrange for collection of their children as soon as possible if bus service is suspended.