Weather Related Closing Information

District Weather Emergency Procedures

Throughout the school year inclement weather conditions may arise. Every effort is made to make a decision to delay or close school before 6:00 a.m., based on the best available weather information.

Parents will receive an auto-call and email for any weather-related school closures or delayed starts/early releases. In addition, information will be posted on the front page of the district's website and the district's Facebook page. The latest school closure or delay announcements will also be broadcast on local radio station WBEV 95.3FM and shared with several Madison and Milwaukee television stations. Most television stations also post school closings on their individual websites.

First and Foremost: Parents Make the Call

Parents are always the best judge of their own situation and what is best for their child(ren). If parents feel the weather conditions pose an undue risk for their child(ren), they are encouraged to use their own judgment in making a decision to send their child(ren) to school. If school is held, and they feel it is safer for their child(ren) to stay home or report late, the district will strongly support their decision. The district’s decision may not fit their individual situation.

Closing Due to Snow and Ice

The district reviews the weather conditions with meteorologists and with the bus transportation company.  Safety is always our top priority. Whether or not conditions will be improving throughout the day is also considered.

Closing Due to Extreme Cold

When the wind chill reaches dangerous levels, school may be delayed or canceled depending on the duration of the conditions. It is important for children to be dressed appropriately for all weather conditions.

Early Dismissal

Early dismissal is not an option the district likes to use unless conditions are expected to get worse throughout the day. This is primarily due to the fact that many parents work and the children are safer at school. Please try to have a plan in place to for late starts and early dismissals. It is helpful for children to be aware of the plan.

Understanding and Cooperation is Appreciated

For every person who is happy with a weather-related decision, there is someone who is unhappy. The district appreciates understanding of the difficulties and the timing of our decision. Parent's support in helping their child(ren) get to and from school safely on winter days is sincerely appreciated.

Digital Distance / Virtual Learning Option

As a general rule, the district will continue to use traditional weather-related cancellation solutions.  However, in the event that we have a difficult weather season resulting in multiple weather-related cancellations, delays, etc., the district may use digital distance/virtual learning options as part of a tool to mitigate schedule disruptions at the end of the year.  If school were to be closed for in-person learning, and we decide to enact virtual instruction for that day, we would send out clear communication as soon as we are able.  The individual school(s) would follow up with particular instructions for students.  We would make this decision in an effort to maintain continued learning opportunities for our students when possible.  Such a digital distance/virtual learning day would provide concise asynchronous (non-live) activities for students to complete as they are able throughout the day and live check-in or support sessions from teachers. Instructional time may be as little as one to two hours for our youngest learners and as high as four hours for our high school age students.  Students will likely take home additional learning materials on the day(s) prior. If circumstances do not allow for a student's participation on a virtual learning day due to inclement weather, parents must contact their child(ren)'s school so that extended time can be given to complete the learning activities.

Emergency Make-up Considerations

Please note that emergency make-up days are scheduled in the school-year calendar to be used if necessary.  Those days are June 3 and 4, 2024.  If one or more of these days is needed, the district will notify all families well in advance of their use.