- Dublin City Schools
- Home
Winter Weather Information
-
In the event of a delay or closure due to inclement weather, families will be notified by voice call, email and text message using our broadcast communication system, School Messenger. Families can also check our district's social media channels and local news stations for timely updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
When is the decision to delay or cancel school made?
As early as possible. Usually, the decision to delay or cancel school will be made no later than 6:30 a.m. In some cases, the decision may be made the night before if weather conditions warrant. We cannot make decisions to delay or cancel school based upon a forecast alone.
-
Where should parents check to see if school is canceled or delayed?
As soon as a decision is made, the DCS Communications team sends a broadcast voice call, email and text message to all district families. The information is also published on the homepage of the DCS website, as well as on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. The Communications team also notifies several local TV stations, including NBC4, ABC6, and 10TV.
-
What factors are taken into consideration when making the decision to delay or cancel school?
Safety is our top priority when determining whether to issue a delay or cancelation. We consider several factors, including bus and motorist traction, driver visibility, and wind-chill conditions. Monitoring local radar and weather info guides our decisions. Additionally, we consider all streets and roads in the district, not only the City of Dublin, as conditions may differ in our more rural areas. Other factors we consider include:
-
Building conditions, such as whether the buildings have electricity, heat and water
-
The ability to clear campus parking lots and sidewalks
-
Whether the conditions are worsening or improving
-
Weather forecasts
-
-
At what temperature or wind chill factor will schools close?
There is no set temperature at which the district automatically closes school, but the ambient temperature is one of the many factors (along with wind-chill, road conditions, and weather forecasts) that are taken into consideration when making a decision. In most cases, schools can remain open when the ambient air temperature is well below zero. Extreme temperatures may cause schools to limit recess and some extracurricular activities. Parents should ensure that their child is dressed appropriately for the weather conditions.
To best understand wind chill and when conditions begin to cause adverse reactions such as frostbite, view the National Weather Service's Wind Chill Chart.
-
Is it possible school could be delayed?
While rare, the district may implement a two-hour delay depending on certain conditions or events. In scenarios where power does not get restored, a fog does not lift, or road conditions do not improve, two-hour delays may turn into closures; therefore, parents should continue to check the media and website for updated information.
-
How will the day run if there is a delay?
Any delay in the start of school will be a two-hour delay. In the event of a two-hour delay:
- Transportation and schools will start two hours later.
- AM Latchkey will NOT be offered.
- AM Kindergarten and AM Preschool will be canceled.
- Fifth grade orchestra will be canceled. Orchestra students should attend their elementary school two hours later than normal.
- Schools will dismiss at their regularly scheduled time.
- Extracurricular activities will proceed as scheduled. Stay tuned to our website and local media for possible changes depending on the opponent’s situation and the weather forecast.
-
If school is canceled, what happens to scheduled extracurricular activities?
There will be no practices or games at the middle school level. The only exception would be tournament contests. These may proceed as scheduled if weather conditions allow for safe travel for spectators and athletes.
- There will be no practice or stand-alone games at the freshmen level. Freshmen games that are part of a high school tripleheader may take place IF the JV/Varsity level contests will also be played as scheduled and travel is safe for athletes and spectators to attend the freshmen contest.
- Only varsity teams may have voluntary practices.
- No varsity practices should be held until after regular school hours. This time would be contingent on the weather conditions at that time and the forecast for the time when students would be returning home. Varsity coaches and athletic directors are responsible for monitoring the weather and ensuring student athletes can safely travel to and from a practice or a game.
- Decisions about games will be made in collaboration with both schools athletic directors and principals.
-
What happens if the District releases students early?
While we do everything possible to avoid sending students home before their scheduled dismissal time, weather or other factors may require the District to “early release” students. If the decision to conduct an early release is made, the district will send parents a voice call, email, and text message with details about the early release. Information will also appear on the district’s website and social media.
Please have an emergency back-up plan in place in the event of an unexpected dismissal.