As we move into Winter 2023-2024, we wanted to give you some information about how we will handle any inclement weather days that arise this school year.
We ask staff and will also ask parents to remind students to bring their iPads home each day in case there is a need for remote learning due to weather.
KCS will utilize one of two options granted by the State this year if/when we must close due to weather:
True Snow Day:
Staff: all school-based and non-261-day employees stay home. All 261-day employees are to report to work on time. Other essential staff may be asked to report as directed by their building administrator or the directors of child nutrition, transportation or maintenance, with the permission of the Superintendent of Schools.
Students: there will be no remote learning for students. This is a true day off.
Non-Traditional Instructional Days (NTID):
Staff: all staff report on time.
Students: all students stay home. Parents/students should check Schoology for assignments or conferences at or before the normal start time of their school day.
Our plan is to utilize true snow days first, however there may be a situation that necessitates another option.
Like last year, we are able to use five true snow days and five NTID days (10 total days) before adding days on at the end of the school year. If we go beyond those 10 days, we will have to extend the school year.
Additional Closing/Delay/Dismissal Information
The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made via an all call through our Communicate system, on the District webpage (https://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/), and District social media (https://www.facebook.com/KCSWV/). All closings/delays are listed on the WVDE Closings site (https://wvde.state.wv.us/closings/). The WVDE Closing site offers email notifications and you can also follow them on Twitter. Delay/Closing announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.
School Messenger Communicate - Updated Contact Information
Kanawha County Schools will use our School Messenger Communicate automated calling system to call staff and parents if school will be delayed or canceled due to severe weather conditions. When possible, calls are sent the evening before. If not, parents are notified as early as possible the morning of a delay or cancellation. School Messenger Communicate delivers messages via phone and e-mail.
If you are a parent and believe that your contact information is incorrect in School Messenger Communicate, please talk to your school secretary to make sure that it is correct in WVEIS.
If you are an employee and want to change your contact information in School Messenger Communicate, please contact KCS HR’s Diane Tate ([email protected]) to make sure that your information is corrected everywhere.
Parents or guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.
If school is not closed for the day, no announcements will be made and students should report at the normal time.
Questions & Answers
How does KCS decide whether or not to close or delay school?
When bad weather is predicted, the district has personnel designated to drive through all areas during the evening and/or early morning hours to determine if the roads are passable. Factors for consideration in closing schools include patches of ice on major roadways and bridges, current conditions on roads, weather predictions for later in the day, etc. With 900+ square miles of land in the Kanawha County, it is likely that certain areas may experience ice or snow, but the majority of the district is not experiencing dangerous conditions. Decisions are made by a team of people scanning conditions across the district and taking into account the safety of each and every student.
Kanawha County administrators will always try to open schools when possible. Many students receive needed services, meals and support services through their home school.
What time should my child report to his/her bus stop or school during a two-hour delay?
The morning schedule is moved forward two hours during a two-hour delay. If your child is normally picked up by the bus at 7:05 a.m., they will be picked up at 9:05 a.m. If school usually begins at 8 a.m., it will begin at 10 a.m.
Does PreK operate on 2-hour early out days?
Yes. Because PreK is full day and PreK students can ride the school bus, PreK operates on a two-hour delay like everyone else.
Will students have to make up time missed during two hour delays?
Kanawha County schools have additional instructional time added to their days that can now be used to make up for missed instructional time. This “bankable” instructional time should allow for the district to not have to add on extra days at the end of the year. If additional days need to be added due to excessive missed instructional time, parents will be notified.
What if I have a scheduled training, activity, practice or performance on the day of a delay or cancellation?
Please contact the person that notified you of the event, the coach, the teacher or the leader to find out.