School Closure due to Weather

School Closures Due to Weather

If schools are closed due to extreme weather or other situations: 
Parents should tune in to local radio, television stations, or go online to PSD’s Web site to find out about school closures the morning of the day in question.

Media outlets are only informed if schools are closed; no announcements by the media means schools are open, as usual.

A decision about weather-related school closures is made by approximately 6:00 a.m. and media outlets are notified immediately. Parents should not call schools, district offices, or broadcast media. See alist of Radio and Television stations in the letter below.

PSD WEB SITE: 
www.psdschools.org

On severe weather days, when school is held as scheduled, parents are reminded to expect delays in school bus service, and to help dress children appropriately for potential longer waits at the bus stop.

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Poudre School District wants to share critical information with you regarding delayed start times, school closure, and early release, should the need arise due to inclement weather and/or questionable road conditions.  In December, the district revised its delayed start policy, and we want to share this important information with all parents.

Notification Regarding Delayed Start of Schools Due to Weather, Road Conditions

Should the need arise, the delayed school start time will be 2 hours, effective January 2008.   Please read the following regarding delayed start of school:

• Delayed start decision: A decision about delayed start will be made by 5:30 a.m. 
• Parent notification: visit the PSD website at www.psdschools.org or tune in to local radio or television stations (listed on reverse side of this page) to find out about delayed start the morning of the day in question.  Please do not call schools, district offices, or broadcast media.  No announcements by media and on the website means all schools are open as usual. 
• Bus pick up times: Buses will pick up students at bus stops 2 hours later than regularly scheduled pick-up times.  Buses will make every effort to be punctual, although traffic and road conditions may increase travel time. Please ensure your child is dressed warmly in anticipation of a potentially longer wait time.  Parents are encouraged to walk their children to bus stops and avoid walking along the roadways. Sidewalks are safer even if these areas are not cleared of snow.

• Drop off and arrival times: Parents dropping off students, students who walk, and students driving to school should arrive 2 hours after their regular arrival times. Please do not arrive earlier.
• Kindergarten and Early Childhood programs: Morning-only kindergarten programs and morning Early Childhood programs are cancelled when there is a delayed start schedule. Afternoon kindergarten and afternoon Early Childhood programs will run on normal schedules. Full-day kindergarten and full-day Early Childhood programs will start 2 hours later than normal.
• Before- and after-school childcare: B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enrichment) Camp will open as normally scheduled for students attending these programs.  If your childcare provider is other than B.A.S.E. Camp, contact them for start times.
• School dismissal times: School dismissal times will remain on regular schedules, including bus drop-off times in neighborhoods and parent pick-up times at schools.

Notification Regarding School Closures Due to Weather, Road Conditions

In the event that schools are closed due to inclement weather and/or questionable road conditions, parents should tune in to local radio and television stations, or go online to PSD’s website at www.psdschools.org to find out about school closures the morning of the day in question.

Media outlets are informed if schools are closed.  No announcements by the media or on the PSD website means all schools are open as usual.

A decision about weather-related school closures is made by 5:30 a.m., and media outlets are notified immediately. Parents should NOT call schools, district offices, or broadcast media.

The PSD website (www.psdschools.org) and the following radio and television stations will provide information about PSD school closures. We will notify Spanish radio stations KGRE 1450AM and KJJD 1170AM for Spanish speaking families.

Note: When PSD schools are closed, B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enrichment) Camp will be closed.

Television Stations (Comcast Cable channels below; channels vary by provider)		Television Web Site
Channel 2	CW2 Colorado/KWGN-TV	www.cw2.trb.com
Channel 4	KCNC4 Denver/CBS4 Denver	www.cbs4denver.com
Channel 5	CBS 5 (Cheyenne)	www.kgwn.tv
Channel 7	7News KMGH	www.thedenverchannel.com
Channel 9	9News KUSA	9news.com
Channel 10	PSD public access TV, available on Comcast and U.S. Cable	www.psdschools.org
Channel 13	Fox 31	myfoxcolorado.com

Other Media:

Fort Collins Coloradoan: www.coloradoan.com

Northern Colorado Tribune at www.greeleytribune.com

Notification Regarding Early Release of Schools Due to Weather, Road Conditions

If the weather forecast suddenly changes to adverse conditions, PSD may put into action an early release. Parents are urged to please develop a plan for the possibility of your student’s early release to your home.  B.A.S.E. (Before and After School Enrichment) Camp will also release early if schools release students early.

When PSD makes a decision to close schools earlier than the regularly-scheduled release times due to inclement weather and/or questionable road conditions, parents will be notified by phone. In addition, media outlets (listed above) and the PSD website (www.psdschools.org) also will communicate early release information.

Please make sure all your family contacts and telephone numbers are current at your child’s school for such an emergency.

Sincerely,

Jerry Wilson, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools