“It’s always a good idea for everyone to review the procedures we use to inform our families about conditions, two-hour delays, or outright cancelations of school due to snowy and icy conditions,” said WCSD Director of Transportation Scott Lee. “Winter weather can be so unpredictable in our area every year, it’s critical for our families to have access to updated information, especially in the early morning hours when we are assessing the situation and making decisions that will impact the school day. We use a variety of communication tools to provide the information, and we appreciate everyone’s help and support.”
District staff members begin monitoring and measuring road conditions and temperatures between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. and consult with the National Weather Service, city and county road crews, and other partners before making decisions about delays and closures. WCSD may delay the start of school by two hours or may close schools entirely when weather and road conditions are deemed too hazardous for staff and students to travel safely to and from school sites.
Incline Village schools are typically impacted more frequently throughout the winter due to heavier snow and lower temperatures, while Gerlach K-12 School may be impacted less often due to its location.
Information about two-hour school delays and cancellation of classes due to inclement weather is 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 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 provided with the most current details and will convey information on their websites and broadcasts.
* The District will post updates on its official social media channels (Facebook, X, Threads, LinkedIn, and Instagram).
“We hope everyone in our community will pay close attention to these delays and closures,” said WCSD School Police Chief Seana Baker. “On snowy days, drivers need to be aware that students are traveling to school at different times due to delays. Students could be walking in undesignated areas because sidewalks haven’t been cleared or are waiting at different bus stops because of weather conditions. It can become a safety issue if drivers are not expecting to see our students or if they encounter more traffic around our schools at different times of the day. Drivers should slow down and use extra caution in slippery conditions. We encourage families to remind their students about traffic safety, and we want everyone to be aware of our school schedules and the presence of our students as they go to and from school.”
In addition, winter bus stops 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, click here.
(Washoe County School District)
