INCLEMENT WEATHER
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When extreme weather conditions exist, the district may cancel school or utilize a two-hour delayed start when temporary adverse weather conditions exist. When possible, inclement weather announcements will be made the day before so staff and families can plan. When schools are closed, there will be no remote learning or teaching and decisions on activites will be made later in the day. There will be no announcement if school is in session. The superintendent makes the final decision by 6 a.m.
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HOW WE MAKE OUR DECISION
When winter weather moves through our area, there are many safety and operational considerations before the decision is made to close schools.
- 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.
TWO-HOUR DELAYED START
In the event of a two-hour delayed start, all school start times will be delayed by two hours. All morning bus pick-up times will also be delayed by two hours. Schools will end their day at the regular time and after-school bus routes will operate on their normal schedule. Important information for a two-hour delayed start.
Hours of School
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All start times are delayed by two hours.
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All high schools will start at 9:35 a.m., even on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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Blue Valley Academy will start at 9:35 a.m.
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No AM early childhood classes
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AM CAPS students will not report.
Transportation
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All K-12 routes run two hours later.
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No bussing for AM early-childhood.
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All field trips and activity trips leaving before noon are canceled.
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Mid-day shuttles between BV schools before noon are canceled.
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Mid-day special education shuttles before noon of students to and from private schools/home school are canceled. Shuttles after noon will run on time.
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All transportation for accelerated classes is canceled. 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.
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After-school bus routes operate on the normal schedule.
Before the School Day
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Breakfast will not be served. Lunch to be served as close to the normal time as possible.
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No athletic practices or activities before school. Practices and games may be held after school depending on weather.
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Y-Care would run two hours later in the AM and operate as normal at the end of the day. 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.
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Morning band and strings will be canceled.
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All AM permits will be canceled.
School Day – Schedule
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Classes will occur on the typical daily schedule with shorter instructional times per class.
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School ends at the regular time.
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Students enrolled in Johnson County Community College (JCCC) follow JCCC’s inclement weather decisions.
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All students in out-of-district programs (Lake Mary, etc.) go two hours later.
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NOTIFICATION
(Note: Families receiving Y-Club services will be notified directly from Y-Club about the status of before and after-school care.)
- 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 - 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).
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.