Winter weather and school closing

Posted Date: 01/21/2020

Make Note of Winter Weather, School Closing Procedures
winter weather information logo
October 24, 2019—With the winter weather season on the horizon, Amarillo ISD offers a reminder about weather-related school closing procedures.

During inclement weather days, AISD will communicate via social media, our district website and the local news media only in the event of a school *closure.* If no announcement is forthcoming by approximately 6:00 a.m., campuses will open at regular hours.

When weather is of particular concern, District leaders remain in close communication with the National Weather Service to better understand the implications of weather and decide the best course of action for the school community.

“Our first priority is the safety of our community,” said Superintendent Doug Loomis. “A significant number of our parents rely on schools as a safe, warm place where their children will be fed and cared for while they are at work, so we must carefully consider that when making a decision to close school."

“However on such winter weather days, anytime a parent believes they need to keep their child home out of safety concerns, we will certainly respect that decision,” Loomis explains. “We want parents to make the best decision for their individual family.”

When schools remain open during snow or bad weather, students are urged to adequately dress for the conditions. Parents are encouraged to take their time on the commute to school, and students who arrive late during inclement weather are not counted as tardy.

On days when our community wakes up to snowfall, District leaders have already driven the streets of Amarillo at the earliest hours to assess road and campus conditions. Maintenance and custodial staff at each campus prepare the main entrance and pedestrian walkways as early as the evening before the school day in question, and then move to prepare other areas for the arrival of students and faculty. These staff members also ensure schools are properly heated and safe for a day of classes.

Additionally, District leaders communicate with other city-wide groups to anticipate road conditions and visibility and determine a course of action, from something as simple as campus custodians brushing off snow and putting down ice melt, to as many as 400 people working in shifts for days at a time.

Letter to Parents - Winter Weather Procedures 2019-2020