We pride ourselves on getting students to and from school safely. Snow, windstorms, earthquakes, and power failures can cause disruptions for schools and families. During difficult times, we will do all we can to communicate information through appropriate channels. When weather, road, or school conditions result in a schedule change, we inform families through multiple methods, as appropriate. If schools are operating on a normal schedule, no notifications will be issued.
Staff and families do not need to opt-in or register to receive notifications, however please contact the office to update your contact information and make sure we have your current email addresses and phone numbers. You can provide multiple phone numbers (if you have them) and one email address per guardian so that we make sure you are contacted.
School closures and schedule changes are districtwide, even if your neighborhood is not severely impacted. Some areas of our district experience much more severe weather and driving conditions than others. If your residential area has hazardous road conditions, please do not attempt to drive to school and notify your school of your situation. If we are unable to safely transport students for all or just part of the district, even on snow routes, we will have to close or delay school for the entire district.
HOW TO GET NOTIFIED
We use a variety of methods to communicate school closures and delays to families. These include:
- Website: An alert will appear on the main page of our school district page at http://hoodcanal.wednet.edu.
- Social Media: If you haven't already done so, please follow us on social media. We are on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HoodCanalSchool. We will post regular information and alerts about the weather.
- Phone Call: Families can anticipate receiving phone calls following a weather decision. Please review your Skyward contact information and report any mistakes to the office.
- Text Message: Texting is used for school closures, delays, or emergencies. Please review your Skyward contact information and report any mistakes to the office.
- Email: Families receive emails about weather decisions to the address we have on file. Please review your Skyward contact information and report any mistakes to the office.
TYPES OF DELAYS
School Closed: The school is closed and all scheduled activities, meetings, and athletic events are also canceled or postponed. Transportation will not be provided to schools outside our school district even though they may be operating as usual unless notified otherwise
School Delay (Two-Hour Delay): Buses will begin their first route two hours later than their scheduled time. Buses will use regular bus routes for any delay unless snow routes are identified. Breakfast and before-school activities will be canceled. School will be dismissed at the regular scheduled times. (Example: If your student gets on Bus 204 at 7:40 a.m., they will instead get on Bus 204 at 9:40 a.m.) Developmental preschool classes will be canceled with a two-hour delay.
Evening Activities Canceled: If travel conditions become hazardous after school has been dismissed, evening meetings and activities may be canceled.
Limited Bus Transportation: Emergency bus routes (“Snow Routes”) will be used for both morning and afternoon pick up and drop-offs, unless communicated otherwise in an updated message. If road conditions improve, regular bus stops may be used in the afternoon. Snow routes will be posted on our website.