INCLEMENT WEATHER
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INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE
In Kansas, it is likely over the next several months we’ll see forecasts that call for inclement weather. Blue Valley encourages students and families to be prepared by:
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Bringing home district-provided devices daily
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Reviewing 2020-21 inclement weather learning options
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NEW! REMOTE LEARNING DAY: A remote learning day will be used when adverse weather conditions exist that make travel to and from school unsafe. The learning day will include check-ins with teachers and asynchronous work for all students, including VirtualED. Specific details about schedules for the day will be communicated by the school administration and teachers.
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DELAYED START: Delayed starts will be used when temporary adverse weather conditions exist, including high winds, cold temperatures or unfavorable road conditions. A two-hour delayed start would allow in-person staff and students extra time to arrive at school. This option maximizes in-person instructional time with students. VirtualED students and students learning remotely in the hybrid model would also start two hours late. Specific details about schedules for the day will be communicated by school administration and teachers.
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TRADITIONAL “SNOW DAY”: In extreme weather conditions, the district may still call an inclement weather day with no school for all students.
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During this ever-changing pandemic, Blue Valley is prioritizing student learning on inclement weather days, whether that learning is in-person or remote. By prioritizing learning, the district avoids having to further extend the school year into June.
Families will continue to receive an email and text message when the school day is modified due to inclement weather. When possible, the announcement will be made the day before so families can plan.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR A TWO-HOUR DELAYED START
- Transportation
- All morning bus routes run two hours later than normally scheduled. This means if your child is typically picked up at 7 a.m., they will now board the bus at 9 a.m.
- All transportation for accelerated classes is cancelled. This means that a middle school student who takes a high school math class will not attend class on a two-hour delayed start day.
- Before the school day
- Breakfast will not be served at schools on delayed start days.
- No athletic or activity practices before school.
- Morning Y-Care runs on a two-hour delayed start. This means that if Y-Care typically opens at 7 a.m. they will open at 9 a.m. on a two-hour delayed start day.
- School day
- All field trips leaving before noon are cancelled.
- All elementary band and strings classes are cancelled.
- All morning early childhood classes are cancelled.
- No morning session of CAPS.
- Students enrolled in out-of-district programs
- Students enrolled in Johnson County Community College (JCCC) follow JCCC’s inclement weather decisions.
- All students in out-of-district programs (Lake Mary, etc.) go two hours later.
- Facility Rentals
- All morning facility rentals are cancelled.
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TWO-HOUR DELAYED START FAQS
- When will you make the announcement?
- Our goal is to announce delays and closures by 6 a.m. We will make every attempt to announce two-hour delayed starts the evening before. Families will receive an email and text message alerting them to delayed starts and school cancellations.
- Why didn’t I get the message?
- Emails and texts are sent to all families at the email address and mobile number on file. If you do not receive an email or text, make sure you have a mobile number and email entered in ParentVUE or call the front office of your child's school.
- Why didn’t Blue Valley Schools make the same decision as another school district?
- Weather conditions vary across the Kansas City area, and one district may be more affected by bad weather than a neighboring district. Conditions can vary even within Blue Valley School District, which spans 91 square miles.
- I’m supposed to rent a building that morning. Can I still rent it?
- Facility rental agreements will be canceled if schools are closed. Morning facility rental agreements will be cancelled if there is a two-hour delayed start.
- Can I choose to keep my child home from school on a delayed start day?
- If families choose to keep their child home on a delayed start day, they should report the absence in the normal manner. All absences reported by families will be excused.
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HOW WE MAKE OUR DECISION
The superintendent makes the final decision to keep schools open or close school during inclement weather before 6 a.m. based on these factors:
- Weather service information - The district consults with a private weather service for information on weather conditions and forecasts, specific to the Blue Valley area.
- Bus company information - District Office administration talks to the bus company to learn more about road conditions and access to neighborhoods and streets that are more challenging during times of inclement weather.
- Amount of snow and ice accumulated.
- Whether snow/ice is continuing.
- Building conditions - Schools are checked to make sure electricity and heat are working properly.
- Parking lot and sidewalk conditions - Administrators talk to maintenance and custodial staff who are responsible for clearing and treating school parking lots and sidewalks.
- Temperature and wind chill.
- Discussion with city and county officials about snow removal status for city and county roads.
- Discussion with other Johnson County school districts.
The district asks parents to do all they can to dress students appropriately for the conditions, especially students who walk to school or ride the bus. While the process we use is comprehensive, we understand that you may not agree with the district's decision to close school or keep school open. Please know if weather conditions are severe, you have the option of keeping your child at home. In this case, please contact your school's office and your child's absence will be recorded as an excused absence.
NOTIFICATION
- Blue Valley website - An announcement will be posted on the homepage.
- Social media - Follow @bvschools on Twitter or like Blue Valley Schools on Facebook.
- Email - Students, staff and families will receive an email with weather-related school closing information.
- Text - Texts will be sent to all families with a mobile number on file. If you do not receive a text, make sure you have a mobile number entered in ParentVUE or call the front office of your child's school.
- Media outlets - Listen to any of these local media outlets: WDAF-TV (Ch. 4), KCTV (Ch. 5), KMBC-TV (Ch. 9) and KSHB-TV (Ch. 41).
- Weather line - Call Blue Valley's weather line for weather-related school closing information at (913) 239-4600.
If severe weather continues and classes are canceled the following day, patrons will be notified in the same manner as the day before. Otherwise, patrons should assume classes will be in session.
Snow days are built into the district calendar and the district will make an official announcement about the last day of school after spring break.