There's nothing quite like the first morning of school delays.

Celebrating kids. Cranky parents.

And everywhere you turn, a whole bunch of misinformation.

Such and such school has a delay! No it doesn't! Well, it's closed!

Wait, a second; not it's not!

Pretty soon it spreads. So and so said such and such is open. Whosy What said whatchamacallit is opening late but extending the day.

The plethora of social media groups that have popped up in recent years don't help matters much. Run not by school districts but private citizens, their information is often spotty if not outright wrong. And unwitting parents taking them as fact pass it on as gospel.

There has to be a better way, don't you think?

Well, there is.

Stick to your primary sources. Remember those from grade school?

They're the sources that provide firsthand accounts or direct evidence about a topic. They're the types of sources we as journalists here at the paper draw from when we're crafting an article.

We can't depend on secondhand information. We need to know it's legitimate.

So do parents.

Sullivan County's school districts inform the parents of their districts directly when there is a closing or delay.

If you didn't hear from your child's school, chances are there's no delay or closing.

Still not convinced? Check the schools' websites and social media.

Sullivan West, for example, has a robust Twitter account thanks to Superintendent Steve Walker, while Livingston Manor's website displays a special pop-up box warning parents when the school schedule has been affected by weather.

The best way to fight bad information is knowing where to get good information. The sources are out there. Use them wisely.