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School Cancellation or Delay

School Closing & Delay Procedures

Safety is our #1 priority when a conversation about closing or delaying school takes place.

 

While we prioritize keeping schools in session daily, it is possible that in-person instruction may be delayed or cancelled from time to time due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. The safety of students and staff is always the top priority. In the event of cancellation of in-person instruction, students K-12 should expect virtual instruction. The severity of the weather emergency will determine who should report to work and the status of any on-site programming, services, or activities.

Decisions will be communicated to families and staff as quickly as possible via ParentSquare, web alert, social media, and local news stations. Depending on the timing of the weather, it is our goal that a decision be communicated to families no later than 6:00 AM. 

How is the decision made to delay or close schools?

 

A network of people are involved in gathering information, often starting at 4:30 a.m. or earlier. Designated staff members drive the roads in the east, west and central parts of the district, others confer with local law enforcement, some are responsible for checking in with neighboring school districts, while others study the weather forecasts.

Based on all available information provided by staff and other resources, the Superintendent makes the final determination.

Exclamation PointUltimately, the responsibility of deciding whether to send children to school or keep them home rests with parents. If you deem conditions are not safe, and choose to keep your child home when school is in session, you must contact the school attendance line as you would on any other day they are not in attendance. 

What factors into the decision to close or delay?

Event Leading to School Closure Impacts Timing
Freezing Rain/Sleet The fastest occurring and most unpredictable weather event.  Can begin and end with little notice. Because it can change so quickly a decision based on freezing rain/sleet will often be made in the morning to evaluate the most current conditions.
Snowfall More predictable, usually can be accurately projected within two (2) inches. Often a decision will be made once significant snow accumulates.  Outside of extreme cases the decision is likely made in the morning.
Extreme Snowfall Often when snow has accumulated over multiple days or is predicted to come in a substantial amount. If snow accumulates to a level where local authorities have indicated it is unlikely that roads will be passable a decision regarding school closure or delay may be made the night before.
Extreme Wind Chill

Wind speed is extremely variable.  Wind chill concerns develop  when the wind chill is -15 or below.  

NOAA Wind Chill Chart.

If the local wind chill is predicted to remain at -15 at 7:00 am school may be delayed.  If the local wind chill is predicted to remain at -15 at 9:00 am school may be canceled.  Due to variability of wind speeds the decision is made in the morning.
Extreme Cold Temperature Temperature is often more accurate than other weather predictions.  National Weather Service Temperature Warnings  If air temperature is predicted by BAM Weather to be -10 degrees or below (the starting point for wind chill concerns with calm wind) at 7:00 A.M. the district will consider a two (2) hour delay for the start of school. If the air temperature is predicted to remain at -10 degrees or below at 9:00 A.M. the district will consider closing.  At times, decisions can be made as early as the night before when extreme cold is predicted.
State or Local Orders In extreme situations state or local authorities have the ability to declare a state of emergency and restrict the use of roads. Washington Township complies with state or local declarations when they are issued.
Critical Systems Failure The failure of a critical system (electricity, gas, or water) could require closure of an individual school or building within the district. A critical systems failure often involves issues with utility providers that are beyond district control and are completely unpredictable.  The timing of a decision to close or delay  is entirely dependent on the timing of the system failure and information from the utility on when it will be repaired.
Marion County Public Health Department Orders Very rarely an outbreak of illness can lead the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) to require the closure of a school for a period of time.  Washington Township adheres to MCPD guidance in these cases. Communications on the timing of school closures related to health concerns come jointly from the school district and the Marion County Health Department.  Generally, these orders notify families the night before a closure begins.

 

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding School Closure or Delay

    • ParentSquare, an app that offers texting and emailing service, is Washington Township’s primary means of notification. PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE for steps on how to download the ParentSquare app and set your notification preferences. Please note that parents can select to receive text message, email and/or notifications through the ParentSquare app. Parents can change their options to receive text messages, emails and/or notifications as many times as they wish. To update your phone number and email address, please use Skyward or contact your child(ren)’s school(s).
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    • These local broadcast television stations are informed: 
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    WRTV (ABC)

    WXIN (FOX)

    WISH-TV (The CW)

    WTTV (CBS)

    WTHR (NBC)

     

    If schools are closed, then students will have an eLearning Day. Click for details.

  • The Tech Hub for Students and Families provides information on how you and your student will access eLearning lessons.

  • At times, our school calendars reflect a “weather flex day” in the month of February. This day is scheduled as a day when students are not scheduled to attend school unless the district has had to fully cancel a day of school prior to the Martin Luther King Day federal holiday.  In the event that this weather flex day is changed to a day of attendance for students, all families will be notified well in advance.

     

  • Cold Weather: Recess and other activities may be held outside unless wind chill or temperature is 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
     

    Warm Weather: Recess and other outside activities may be held inside if the wet bulb globe temperature is 90 degrees or higher.

  • Yes, unless you receive specific information from your school informing you that an event is still being held you can assume that it has been canceled.

  • AYS does not operate, morning or afternoon, on days when school has been canceled.

    AYS does not operate in the morning on two-hour delay days, but does run after school care when school is delayed in the morning.

     

  • Buses will run their normal routes with pick-up times two hours later than normal. The Here Comes the Bus app can be helpful to use on 2-hour delay days so that you are notified when your child’s bus is approaching the bus stop.

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    In the event of a two-hour delay our schools follow these schedules:

     

    Elementary School:  9:40 AM - 2:25 PM

    Middle School:  11:30 AM - 4:25 PM 

    High School:  10:35 AM - 3:25 PM