Winter Delays and Cancellation

The temperature is dropping and it's that time of year again. Occasionally during the school year we have to delay or close school due to one of the following considerations:

• Severe fog
• Ice or snow accumulation that could make travel hazardous during bus route
• Ability of our staff to effectively clear parking lots and sidewalks of snow and ice for staff/student safety
• Snow emergency levels issued by the Sheriff's office
• Severely low temperatures make it unsafe for children to be outside walking to school or waiting on a bus for even a few minutes.

On rare occasions, we may have to release early if there is a significant impending storm that may hit during afternoon route times to ensure that we can get kids home safely.

Please keep the following in mind:

• The District covers 161 square miles (the same area as the Caribbean island of Barbados).
• Road conditions can vary greatly from Midland and Martinsville to Port William, even one street to the next.
• County roads are cleared on a different schedule than city streets. It doesn't all happen at the same time.
• Buses not only have to be able to travel safely on roads, but a number of them also have to be able to utilize uncleared turn-arounds to complete their route in rural areas.
• Please be patient when we have school in bad weather. Routes will often take longer to run safely.
• There may be times when the Supt calls for a 2 hour dely and later has to close entirely because conditions have not improved enough to get our buses out and back safely.

What if the District calls for a 2 hour delay?

A 2 hour delay can often mean that there is more daylight as our students travel to school on foot, in cars or by school bus. The improved visibility may help eliminate some potential driving and walking hazards. This schedule will allow local road crews more time to service the roads before school begins.

Procedures:
In the event of a 2 hour delay, there will be no AM preschool and no breakfast service. Afternoon pre-school will be held at the regular time. Dismissal times will remain the same for all students.

Schedules:
Bus pick-up: 2 hours after normal time

Elementary Schools: Start time 11:15
Dismissal time - normal schedule

Middle/High Schools: Start time 9:50
Dismissal time - normal schedule

Tips for Families

• Update your phone number. Make sure your child's school has your current phone number so that you receive important school day alerts. Log-in to FinalForms to update this information quickly.
• Have a plan and discuss it with your kids. Decide on your  childcare plans in the event of a delay, cancellation, or early dismissal. 
• Have a few games, activities, and books tucked away to keep them busy and productive in the event that school is canceled.
• Watch the temperature and make sure that you plan for enough warm clothes, gloves, hats, scarves, boots, etc to keep kids toasty at the bus stop or on their walk to school.
• Please be patient.  Wet, snowy weather can occasionally cause slower bus routes. Safety is our first priority.
• Be aware. If you're driving on snowy/icy roads (anytime, actually), please be extra aware of children walking to school or waiting for a bus.