Winter Weather Procedures

Prior to making a decision to cancel school due to inclement weather, district administrators monitor road and parking conditions, sidewalk accessibility, temperatures and precipitation amounts. Serious considerations are given to the following areas:

  • Safety of facilities (heat, air, power, parking lots, etc.)

  • Safety of transportation (road conditions on streets traveled by buses, timely route completion)

  • Ability of students who drive to navigate road conditions and parking lots

  • Safety of students who walk to school

  • Ability of instructional and support staff to travel to schools and/or district offices and provide appropriate supervision and critical services such as food service for students.

When inclement weather occurs or is in the forecast, district officials maintain close communication with the National Weather Service and City of Norman personnel. When schools must be closed due to inclement weather, the following considerations are important:

  • The district endeavors to announce the decision to close as soon as possible and reports the information to parents and local news media.

  • All days missed due to weather conditions will be made up as needed to meet the school year requirement.

  • When winter conditions develop during the school day, schools will not be dismissed early because many parents work and students could potentially be arriving home to a locked house.

  • If the weather begins to deteriorate during the school day, parents may pick up their student(s) early without penalty.

  • If inclement weather is forecasted and school is not canceled but parents believe it is in the best interest of their children’s health and safety to have them at home, the absence will be excused.

Click here to download the "School Closing Factors" Graphic