While we've had pretty sunny weather this week, the Washoe County School District wants to remind parents of procedures behind winter-related delays and cancellations.
Like we saw earlier this month these can be called if weather and road conditions are hazardous.
The school district begins monitoring conditions around 2 a.m.
District staff want parents to keep in mind, weather impacts different areas in the Truckee Meadows differently.
“When we do call a delay and it’s only impacting one region and maybe not another region, we have to consider not only our buses, but we have to consider our student drivers our students walking on unplowed sidewalks as well,” says Scott Lee, Director of Transportation, WCSD.
The school district says it's important parents make sure their information is up to date with the district to receive notifications. They'll usually come in around 5 or 5:30 a.m.
School police are also reminding drivers to take precautions when winter weather hits.
This includes slowing down even more in school zones as well as in school parking lots.
“Just because your students are out of your car, doesn't give you the greenlight to get out of their as quickly as possible. You really have to be cautious and watch for other students that are crossing the road or… especially in the winter weather when it's going to be icy and those students may be slipping and sliding themselves,” says Jason Trevino, Chief of Police, WCSD Police Department.
Police are reminding folks if they get caught speeding or breaking any other rules in school zones, there are pretty steep fines. So, slow down and keep your eyes opens.
Schools in Incline Village are impacted more frequently and more extensively than schools in the Truckee Meadows as mountain communities receive more snow and experience lower temperatures.
As in years past, information about two-hour school delays and cancellation of classes due to inclement weather will be conveyed to families in a variety of ways:
- Families will receive phone calls, text messages, and emails via the District’s Connect Ed call system. Families need to ensure their contact information is accurate and should call their child’s school to provide updated information if needed.
- The WCSD website (www.washoeschools.net) will prominently display the information.
- The Parent Hotline for Incline Village families (775-337-7509) will reflect the most updated information for schools in Incline Village.
- Local news media will be alerted with the most current details and will convey information on their websites and broadcasts.
- The District will post updates on social media channels (Facebook, Twitter).
Updates at this event will include information about winter bus stops, which are used in inclement weather.
These stops are located near the usual bus stops, but in areas that are safer when road conditions are more challenging. A complete list of winter bus stops is available here.
For more information about WCSD winter weather transportation procedures, please click here. WCSD is recruiting and training new bus drivers as the district continues to experience a shortage of transportation employees.
Students now gather in larger groups at “bus hubs” throughout the district to reduce the number of stops each driver needs to make in the mornings and afternoons.
For information about employment in the Transportation Department, please click here.
WCSD is also working with the Education Alliance of Washoe County and the Big Reno Coat Drive to gather donated coats.
Last year, more than 2,700 coats were distributed to children who did not have adequate winter clothing, and the group has set a goal of 3,000 coat donations for 2022.
For information about drop-off locations for Big Reno Coat Drive donations, please visit the link below.
