Weather Related Closings & Procedures
In the event of an unscheduled school closing, delay or early/late dismissal it is our goal to notify the community in an efficient and timely manner. We know our decision to close schools in poor weather has a big effect on families. We also believe students benefit both academically and socially by being in school. We will balance these factors with factors of student safety when it comes to decisions regarding school closing. Please take a few minutes to review the school closing procedures listed below.
How is the public notified?
You can check on weather related notices by:
The homepage of our website (www.carlislecsd.org) will be updated with delay or cancellation information.
Email, Phone and Text notifications from Carlisle School District via Infinite Campus Messenger.
In the event of a school cancellation or delay, Infinite Campus will be the primary communication tool used by the district. Families will receive communication in the form of phone call, email, and/or text message. We ask that parents/guardians update their information on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under Contact Preferences.
Checking Media Outlets for Weather Notices:
Television Stations:
WHO TV Channel 13 KCCI Channel 8
WOI Channel 5 KDSM FOX 17
Radio Stations:
1040 AM 100.3 FM 107.5 FM 106.3 FM 1460 AM 96.5 FM
Social/Internet Media:
Des Moines Register Online KCCI Online
District Facebook Page: @carlislecsd
Download: 13Now Smartphone App
What are the different types of weather closings?
School Closing
All schools are closed for the day. Only district central office may be open on school closing days. When schools are closed for the day, it also means that all activities scheduled in the school building for that calendar day are canceled unless otherwise noted. Specific announcements will be made if special activities scheduled can be held because of improved weather conditions.
Two-Hour Delay to Start of School Day
Two-hour delay start will be used for days when daylight and additional time is needed to allow for safe passage for students to schools. In the event of a two-hour school day delay, the school day will begin exactly two hours later than the regular school opening for each school. All buses will pick up students exactly two hours later than the regular pickup time, drop off time will not change. There will be no morning (AM) preschool on days that have a two-hour start delay. Afternoon (PM) preschool will start at the normal time. If school is delayed, there will be no before-school practices.
Two-Hour Delay to Start of School on Early Out Wednesday
If the district activates a two-hour delayed start on an Early Out Wednesday, the early out dismissal time would be cancelled and students would be dismissed at the regular dismissal time.
Early Dismissal
If the weather changes to adverse conditions, the district may decide to release students early. Parents are urged to develop a plan for situations when their student may be released early. Parents will be notified by Infinite Campus messenger (phone, email, text), local media outlets will be notified. When the school system experiences an early dismissal all extracurricular activities, athletic practices and late busses are cancelled.
Hard Services Only Route Plan
The Carlisle Community School District developed an emergency hard surface route plan. The purpose of this plan is to provide a bus transportation system on days when it is not possible to run the buses on gravel roads. In situations such as drifted or icy country gravel roads, or soft surface gravel roads, this plan will be implemented. When the plan is utilized in the morning, it will also be utilized in the afternoon. Visit our transportation page for information on specific bus routes impacted by the hard service plan.
How do we make our decision?
Our decision to open or close the schools in poor weather is based on an analysis of factors such as:
- Information on road conditions from transportation staff, highway patrol and county roads departments. We consider all of the roads in the district. Even if your street or road looks clear, travel elsewhere in the district may be dangerous. Additionally, we factor in the safety of high school students that may be driving to school.
- Amount of snow and ice accumulated, predicted duration of any precipitation, and temperature and wind chill. We recognize some students walk to school and some wait outside for the bus.
- Building and parking lot conditions. We confirm that we have heat, electricity, and water, and confer with maintenance staff members who are responsible for clearing and treating school parking lots and sidewalks.
- What other school districts are doing. We share information among schools as part of the decision making process.
- Weather predictions. We consider weather predictions, and often consult with area meteorologists.
- For cold and frigid temperatures, we try our best to make a decision the evening before. If the National Weather Service forecast for 6 a.m. calls for a wind chill of minus 25 or worse, classes and activities may be canceled.
Who makes the decision?
The superintendent of schools is responsible for the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the director of transportation.
When is the decision made?
We make the decision by 5:45 AM in order to contact administrators, post the decision on our website and notify radio and TV stations. This means that information on school closings or delays should be available between 6:00 and 6:30 AM.
Will we close school if conditions worsen?
Once we make the decision to open the schools, many parents rely on it and may already have left for work. Once in school, we will typically keep students through the day. In extreme conditions, we may need to have an early dismissal, but we will provide notice as indicated above.
When School Resumes after a storm?
After a major snow storm, some changes in regular routines may be needed. Depending on the severity of the storm, ongoing snow removal efforts may dictate that parents should take additional measures to ensure safe transportation of their students to and from school. (read more)
Although we do our absolute best in this process, we know that no perfect decision exists for all involved. If you do not feel as though it is safe for your child to attend school, use your best judgment. Students missing school for weather related reasons will be counted as an excused absent, but will be allowed to make up school assignments. We would also appreciate your encouragement with teenage drivers to utilize the existing bus service or another alternative to driving in poor conditions.