Inclement Weather
In the event of inclement weather affecting the Park City School District, families will be informed through Swift K-12 email notifications and updates will be posted on the district's website, pcschools.us. This communication strategy ensures timely and accurate dissemination of information regarding school closures, delays, or any important safety instructions, keeping the school community safe and well-informed during adverse weather conditions.
Making Weather-Related School Closure Decisions
English
- How the Decision is Made
- Why Do Schools Remain Open?
- Late Start or Closure
- Notification
- Parents Make the Ultimate Call
How the Decision is Made
Administrators monitor the National Weather Service for storm warnings and closely monitor a storm’s status throughout the night. District snowplows are dispatched and begin plowing school parking lots as soon as it is safe to do so. Snowplow drivers report road conditions and district utility services staff monitor buildings for weather-related conditions, such as power outages. Additionally, the district receives reports from local law enforcement and city and county officials. Using this information, the Superintendent or designee determines whether there will be a school closure. This decision to close schools is made by 6 a.m., or earlier when possible. No notification means schools are open.
Why Do Schools Remain Open?
Prior to and during a snowstorm, the district receives up-to-date reports on the weather, road conditions, transportation capability, and the status of buildings. Schools will remain open if these reports indicate that the district can safely transport children, and open and operate the buildings.
Like any public service, parents count on schools to remain open. PCSD’s role in the community goes beyond providing educational services to nearly 4,500 students:
- Many PCSD students rely on their neighborhood school for breakfast and lunch (approximately 25%). These meals are not simply convenient; they provide nutritional needs for children who may otherwise go without them.
- Some PCSD students would remain home alone without supervision if their school had an unscheduled closure. Many families don’t have the luxury of adjusting work schedules on short notice.
- A functioning school building provides warmth and safety in addition to classroom instruction.
Late Start or Closure
What if reports indicate significant difficulties? If reports show substantial challenges, PCSD may decide to implement a 2-hour late start to resolve the situation. The emergency late start schedule still counts as a full day of instruction, thus, no make-up day in the spring is needed.
If it appears a late start schedule will not alleviate conditions, the district will be closed. An emergency closure make-up day is included in the calendar. Please note: Delayed starts on severe weather days are the most difficult on Fridays when schools have shortened days.
Notification
Parents will be notified via email and text from PCSD should a delayed start or a full closure be implemented. Please ensure your contact information listed in Powerschool is accurate since that is where the district retrieves your notification information. The district website will also include emergency closure information. No announcement or notification means schools are open.
Parents Make the Ultimate Call
PCSD trusts parents to make the ultimate call when it comes to their child’s safety. Not all streets are plowed at the same time, and snow totals may differ from region to region. If you do not think it is safe to send or take your student to school during a weather incident, please keep them home. School officials will be understanding regarding tardiness and absences during inclement winter weather
Spanish
- How the Decision is Made
- Why Do Schools Remain Open?
- Late Start or Closure
- Notificación
- Los padres tienen la decisión final
How the Decision is Made
Administrators monitor the National Weather Service for storm warnings and closely monitor a storm’s status throughout the night. District snowplows are dispatched and begin plowing school parking lots as soon as it is safe to do so. Snowplow drivers report road conditions and district utility services staff monitor buildings for weather-related conditions, such as power outages. Additionally, the district receives reports from local law enforcement and city and county officials. Using this information, the Superintendent or designee determines whether there will be a school closure. This decision to close schools is made by 6 a.m., or earlier when possible. No notification means schools are open.
Why Do Schools Remain Open?
Prior to and during a snowstorm, the district receives up-to-date reports on the weather, road conditions, transportation capability, and the status of buildings. Schools will remain open if these reports indicate that the district can safely transport children, and open and operate the buildings.
Like any public service, parents count on schools to remain open. PCSD’s role in the community goes beyond providing educational services to nearly 4,500 students:
- Many PCSD students rely on their neighborhood school for breakfast and lunch (approximately 25%). These meals are not simply convenient; they provide nutritional needs for children who may otherwise go without them.
- Some PCSD students would remain home alone without supervision if their school had an unscheduled closure. Many families don’t have the luxury of adjusting work schedules on short notice.
- A functioning school building provides warmth and safety in addition to classroom instruction.
Late Start or Closure
What if reports indicate significant difficulties? If reports show substantial challenges, PCSD may decide to implement a 2-hour late start to resolve the situation. The emergency late start schedule still counts as a full day of instruction, thus, no make-up day in the spring is needed.
If it appears a late start schedule will not alleviate conditions, the district will be closed. An emergency closure make-up day is included in the calendar. Please note: Delayed starts on severe weather days are the most difficult on Fridays when schools have shortened days.
Notificación
A los padres se les notificará a través de un correo electrónico y un mensaje de texto de PCSD en caso de que se inicie con retraso o se cierre por completo. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto que figura en Powerschool sea precisa, ya que es allí donde tomamos nuestra información de notificación. El sitio web del distrito también incluirá información de cierre de emergencia. Si no hay anuncio o notificación, significa que las escuelas están abiertas.
Los padres tienen la decisión final
Confiamos en que los padres tomen la decisión final cuando se trata de la seguridad de sus hijos. No todas las calles son aradas al mismo tiempo, y la acumulacón de nieve puede diferir de una región a otra. Si no cree que es seguro enviar o llevar a su hijo a la escuela durante un incidente climático, manténgalo en casa. Los funcionarios escolares comprenderán las tardanzas y las ausencias durante el mal tiempo de invierno
Statements
- Inclement Weather-Delayed Start
- Inclement Weather- Emergency School Closure
- Inclement Weather- Monitoring
- Inclement Weather- School Open
Inclement Weather-Delayed Start
In light of current road conditions and the National Weather Service weather forecast, school will start XX hours later than the regularly scheduled. The start time today will be XX:XX and the dismissal times will remain the same at XX:XX.
For the morning route only, school buses will run XX hours later than normal. Buses will return students at the regular dismissal time in the afternoon. For example, a school that normally starts at 7:45 a.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m. will start at 9:45 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m.
All school district staff should report to work at the regular time or as soon as safely possible. Staff unable to report to work should call their supervisor as soon as possible.
Thank you,
XXXXX
Inclement Weather- Emergency School Closure
School has been canceled DATE 20XX, due to XX (unsafe driving conditions resulting from XXXXX. Canceling school due to bad weather is a difficult decision under the best of circumstances. The School District consults with multiple sources in order to make an informed decision.
The decision to cancel in advance of tomorrow morning gives parents, students, staff and the community an opportunity to plan and put safety first. School will resume as scheduled DATE 20XX.
Only designated staff should report to work at the regular time or as soon as safely possible. For additional questions or concerns, please contact XXX-XXX-XXXX.
Thank you,
XXXXX
Inclement Weather- Monitoring
In light of current road conditions and the National Weather Service weather forecast, the school district may delay or cancel school tomorrow, DATE.
Student safety is our top priority and we are currently monitoring the weather to determine if conditions merit delayed start times or cancellation. While the final decision has not yet been made, please be prepared for a delay or cancellation.
An official notice will be announced by XX:XX a.m. tomorrow if there are any changes to the normal school schedule.
Thank you and stay safe,
XXXXX