Inclement Weather

Inclement Weather         303.387.SNOW (7669) or www.dcsdk12.org

On very cold and/or wet days, children are kept inside during recess time. If the temperature is 20 degrees or less (wind chill factor is taken into consideration), there will be inside recess. Please dress your child appropriately as the weather in our area is unpredictable.

Delayed Starts

Transportation service during inclement weather for your area can differ from the rest of the school district. Information regarding transportation service during inclement weather for all students living in the
Rock Canyon High School attendance area will be as follows:

Bus service will run on a 90 minute delayed schedule for all students (high school, middle school and elementary) living in the Rock Canyon High School attendance area when the announcement on TV, radio, the district’s weather hotline or the district’s Web site is  90 minutes Delayed Schedule.  (Example:  If your bus stop is usually at 7:00 am on a delayed schedule, your bus stop would be at 8:30 am.)

School Start Times will be as follows on a delayed Schedule:
SCHOOL

REGULAR TIME

DELAYED START TIME

Rock Canyon High School

7:45 AM

9:15 AM

Rocky Heights Middle School  

7:30 AM

9:00 AM

Redstone Elementary  

8:35 AM

10:05 AM

Timber Trail Elementary

8:35 AM 

10:05 AM 

Wildcat Mountain Elementary

9:10 AM

10:40 AM

Buffalo Ridge Elementary  

9:10 AM

10:40 AM


Or


There will be
no bus service all day (morning and afternoon) for all students (high school, middle school and elementary) when the TV, radio, weather hotline and district Web site announcement is Rock Canyon High School Feeder Area is Closed.

It is the parent / guardians choice for their student to go to school or not in inclement weather.  If you feel it is not safe for your student to go to school, due to weather, call your student’s school attendance line for an excused absence.  In addition, if your student’s bus runs late to school, the tardy will be excused.  


For the most accurate and up-to-date school closure or delayed schedule information, please call the Douglas County School District’s Weather Hotline—303-387-SNOW (7669)—or check the district’s Web site at www.dcsdk12.org.

Early Release Days

In the event that the district calls an early release day, students and teachers will follow the Emergency School Closure Form instructions that each parent has filled out and turned in to the front office. Please keep us updated if your emergency information changes.


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

Forecasts

  • A NWS/Skyview Weather forecast either district-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a blizzard warning between 3:00am and 2:00pm on school days will result in a closure recommendation.
  • 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 3:00am and 2:00pm on school days will result in a closure recommendation.
  • A forecast either district-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a wind chill advisory or severe cold temperatures in conjunction with a wind chill reading that may pose a danger during a morning walking period or bus pick up period may result in a recommendation of a 90-minute delay for all schools and programs.


Conditions at 4:00am

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 may:

  • Result in a recommendation of a 90-minute delay for all schools and programs if the snow is forecast to decrease by 9:00am.
  • Result in a closure recommendation if the snow is not forecast to decrease by 9:00am.

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

  • Result in a recommendation of a 90-minute delay for all schools and programs if the forecast and/or snow removal crews indicate an improving situation by 7:00am.
  • Result in a closure recommendation if the situation is not expected to improve by 7:00am.
    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 may result in a recommendation for a 90-minute delay for all schools and programs. 
     

►ELEMENTARY DELAYED START TIMES

►SECONDARY DELAYED START TIMES


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


Conditions at 12:00pm

A NWS/Skyview Weather forecast either district-wide or in one or more feeder areas, of a blizzard warning between 2:00pm and 8:00pm will result in an after school activity cancellation recommendation. Afternoon kindergarten classes may be cancelled. Child care will close at the regular time.

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.

  • Afternoon kindergarten may be cancelled, as will after school childcare as soon as possible.
  • 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.

Emergency Closure Conditions

If the weather conditions deteriorate to the point that a closure of one or more buildings is necessary, Emergency Closure Procedures will be initiated. Schools will follow release protocols established by Learning Services.




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