When the power goes off, the generator starts up, and an automatic transfer switch transfers the load to the generator. Each generator is exercised weekly under load. Some schools have battery back up systems for their intercom and telephones. All schools even without battery back up have at least one line that can take incoming calls. Each school needs to assess their set-up and determine what additional measures may be needed.
Many schools have an extended day program where children come to school early or leave late.
Each school needs to assess their own program, impacts, and resources for accommodating power interruptions. In some schools not all areas of the campus are affected and it is possible to move a group of children to that area during the outage. Heating is kept on during the night at all district schools when freeze warnings are in affect in order to prevent freeze damage. So, there will be some residual heat in the building during the outage. Permanent structures retain heat better than portables, so, students may need to be moved temporarily from portables to more substantial structures during the outage.