How We Make Decisions
Decisions regarding delays, cancellations, and early dismissals are based on several factors, including National Weather Service forecasts, local road conditions, and our ability to safely clear and maintain school parking lots and sidewalks.
How We Communicate
When a decision is made to delay, cancel, or dismiss school early, the District will:
- Send an Urgent Alert through ParentSquare to families and staff. Community members who have registered for Community Weather Alerts will also receive the notification. Urgent Alerts include a phone call, text message, and email.
- For weather conditions that may affect the school day, we strive to make any necessary delay or closure announcements by 5:15 a.m. Phone calls will not be sent before 5:00 a.m.
- Post an announcement on the District website homepage within the alert bar.
How Delays and Early Dismissals Work
School may operate on a one-hour, two-hour, or three-hour delay depending on conditions. When a delay is announced, school transportation will operate on the same delay. For example, on a two-hour delay, students should expect their bus approximately two hours later than their regular pickup time. Families do not need to contact the school or Transportation Department to confirm pickup times when a delay is announced.
When conditions are expected to begin or worsen during the school day, the District may dismiss students early. Early dismissals may range from one to three hours before the regular dismissal time and may include half-hour increments. Transportation schedules will be adjusted accordingly. For example, with a two-hour early dismissal, students will be dismissed and transported approximately two hours earlier than their regular schedule.
School lunch will be served on days with a delayed opening or early dismissal.
Families and registered community members will receive an Urgent Alert through ParentSquare when an early dismissal is announced.
After-School, Evening, and Weekend Activities
Weather conditions may also result in the cancellation or delay of evening or weekend activities.
After-School and Evening Activities: If the regular school day is not affected, the District may cancel evening activities or announce a specific time when all District activities must end and buildings will close. For example, the District may announce that all activities must conclude by 5:00 p.m. In these situations, a District-wide Urgent Alert may not be sent. Information will be posted on the District website and may also be communicated by the individual school, athletic department, or program.
Weekend Activities: Cancellations or changes to weekend activities will generally be communicated by the school, athletic department, or program responsible for the event. These updates may not always be posted on the District website.
We understand that changes to the school schedule can have a significant impact on families. Our goal is to make and communicate decisions as early as reasonably possible while allowing time to evaluate the most current weather and road conditions.