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.
 

EMERGENCY SNOW ROUTES 

The district and Durham School Services, the district's bus company, have devised an emergency snow route system to provide a safer ride to school. The primary reason for developing these emergency routes is to avoid hazardous areas, such as steep hills, turn-arounds, cul-de-sacs and dead-end streets. Staying on the main roads, which are serviced more quickly by emergency snow removal equipment, makes the trip safer.

These emergency routes may impact a small minority of the bus riders who reside in the southern portion of the district. When those riders have been notified that emergency snow routes are in effect, they will meet the bus at a pre-determined location and time. A one hour delay will automatically initiate the emergency snow routes for those who ride the bus. For more information on these routes, please call Durham School Services, (913) 681-2492.