Seattle Public Schools Inclement Weather Information
Dear Seattle Public Schools Families:
From time to time, inclement weather may change the normal schedule at your student’s school. As winter approaches, now is a good time to review how you will receive urgent weather information from Seattle Public Schools and how to manage your communication preferences.
Staying Informed
If weather conditions make a schedule change necessary, the district will communicate the decision through the following methods and in this order:
- Local media: Checking local television or radio stations is the most effective and efficient way to find out if there is a schedule change. As soon as there is a decision to delay or cancel school, we notify the local media outlets. Local stations include KOMO 4 TV and KOMO AM 1000 radio; KING 5 TV; KIRO 7 TV and KIRO 97.3 FM radio.
- Facebook and Twitter: In addition to local media, social media is a fast way to learn about a delay or closure. Follow us on Facebook.com/SeattlePublicS
chools and Twitter.com/ seapubschools. - District and school websites: We post updates to the district and school websites.
- Phone calls and emails: Families will receive a phone call and an email; however other communication methods may be faster.
Managing Phone Calls and Communications Preferences
It is important to keep up-to-date contact information on record with your student’s school.
When there is an emergency school schedule change, the phone listed as an emergency contact is called. While you need one emergency phone on record, you can manage your communication preferences and designate which phone is called. Directions on how to manage your preferences, in multiple languages, can be found on our Communications Preferences webpage.
Finally, per our collective bargaining agreement, we have three snow makeup days: Jan. 31, June 25 and June 26. Because makeup days are negotiated with our labor partner, Seattle Education Association, we need to follow the contract as well as ensure students have 180 contact days in school. Please be aware of these dates when making vacation and family plans.
If you have other questions regarding these communication procedures, visit the district’s inclement weather webpage. We will be adding transportation information, including snow routes for district routes and Metro buses.
If you have other comments or concerns, please email publicaffairs@seattlesch
Sincerely,
Seattle Public Schools