Closure Criteria

A NWS/Skyview Weather forecast either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a blizzard warning between 3:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on school days will result in a closure recommendation for the District or affected feeder.
A NWS/Skyview forecast either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a winter storm warning, with snow forecast of 5 inches or more along with a forecast of blowing and drifting snow for between 3:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on school days will result in a closure recommendation for the District or affected feeder.
A forecast either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a wind chill advisory during a morning walking period or bus pick up period will result in a delay recommendation.

Conditions at 4:00 a.m.

Snowfall at a rate either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of 1 inch or more per hour where conditions are such that it is accumulating on the roadways and parking lots will:

Result in a delay recommendation if the snow is forecast to decrease by 9:00 a.m.
Result in a closure recommendation if the snow is not forecast to decrease by 9:00 a.m.

Reports by drivers, security officers, police officers and road crews either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of extremely adverse and dangerous driving conditions (such as severe ice conditions) will:

Result in a delay recommendation if the forecast and road crews indicate an improving situation by 7:00 a.m.
Result in a closure recommendation if the situation is not expected to improve by 7:00 a.m.

Absent any of the conditions above, reports by DCSD snow removal teams either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of difficulty in removing snow from parking lots and walkways, or reports of conditions believed to be extraordinarily hazardous may result in a delay or closure recommendation. The Superintendent may close a feeder or the District in other conditions believed warrant such action.

After School Conditions

(May be applied to a specific feeder area or to the entire District)

Conditions at 12:00 noon

A NWS/Skyview Weather forecast either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a blizzard warning between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. will result in an after school activity cancellation. Afternoon kindergarten classes will be cancelled. Child care will close at the regular time.
A NWS/Skyview forecast either District-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a winter storm warning, with snow forecast of 5 inches or more along with a forecast of blowing and drifting snow between 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. will result in an after school activity cancellation. Afternoon kindergarten classes will be cancelled. Child care will close at the regular time.
Field trips may be cancelled and/or recalled.

Rapidly Changing Conditions during the School Day

In the event weather conditions deteriorate rapidly and unexpectedly during morning transit hours or during school hours, buses will continue their routes unless ordered to park by Transportation or Public Safety officials. The reason for this is that students may be sheltered at school, where their safety can be attended to.

Afternoon kindergarten will be cancelled, as will after school child care as soon as possible. Listen for news announcements.
Elementary and middle school students will be sheltered-in-place at school until they can be taken home by parents or by school bus. Parents may be notified to pick up their children early. High school students may be released to drive home at the discretion of the principal after consultation with Safety and Security. Bus routes for the afternoon may be cancelled if all students have been picked up by parents or upon order of public safety officials or the superintendent. If students remain at school and buses cannot run, they will be sheltered until transported by parents, law enforcement or security officials.
Field trips will be cancelled and/or recalled.