Know what to do if bad weather hits our area Qué hacer en caso de mal tiempo

Bad weather is a part of the school year. Here’s how parents can find out whether the bad weather means their child’s school won’t open. Parents are asked and encouraged to evaluate weather conditions on inclement weather days and make a decision about their own child’s attendance at school that day. Parents may use their discretion and pick up their child or children at any time during any school day.

When weather conditions require a change in the school day schedule, the superintendent of schools will respond in one of four ways:

Two-hour delay

Santa Fe Public Schools will announce a two-hour delay to the school day when weather creates hazardous road conditions which compromise the ability of school buses and parents to safely transport students, as well the safety of staff in getting to work. This announcement will be made as early as possible, but not later than 7 a.m. Staff will also be informed by school messenger.

Procedures

u Buses will run two hours later than normal. School will begin two hours later than normal start time.

u When weather reports indicate a deterioration of safe-driving conditions, the superintendent may announce a delay the evening prior to the delay.

Special note: If a two-hour school delay is called after 6 a.m., school buses may already be en route picking up students. In this case, students who already are en route to school on a school bus will continue on to school. Students waiting at school bus stops will be picked up and brought to school. The students arriving on buses will be supervised at their school site until school begins or until parents pick them up. The two-hour delay will be announced on the major television networks and local radio stations. District employees are encouraged to arrive at work as early as driving conditions safely permit.

For one or two days immediately following a snow storm, icy conditions often prevail in the early morning hours, making it almost impossible to run school buses in outlying areas. If this condition exists, please watch for news announcements indicating if bus service will not be available. Cancellation of school

After a two-hour delay has been announced and weather conditions have continued to deteriorate; the Superintendent may call a cancellation of school.

Procedures

u Notice of school cancellation will be made as early as possible, but not later than 8 a.m.

u In the event of school cancellation, all schools will be closed and time will be made up according to provisions in the school calendar.

Early release

An early release of schools, a rarely used option, will be called in extreme weather conditions. Early release will be called no later than 11 a.m., and buses will begin picking up students at noon.

Procedures

u High school and middle school students will be picked up first by the SFPS buses on the early release days at noon. All high school students will be dismissed at the early release time for bus students.

u When high school and middle school bus routes are completed (usually 45 minutes), elementary students will be picked up. Elementary and middle school students who do not ride school buses will remain in regular classes until normal dismissal time or will be released to parents who come to pick up their child.

u All after-school programs will be canceled if an early release is announced.

u All after-school activities and sporting events will