Severe Weather School Closing Information

The primary factor used in determining whether or not to close school will always be student safety.

How are parents/guardians informed about school closings?
For school closing and delays, a push notification, email and text message will be sent (no phone calls). Local media, district social media, and each school website will also have closings and delays posted. Announcements will be made only when school is canceled or dismissed early. No announcements are made when schools are following their normal schedules.

The fastest way to receive this information is to make sure you are signed up for emergency text messages from the district. Please text “YES” to 79041 from your phone. It is important to opt-in before a closure or emergency situation arises. If you want to update your email or text numbers, please log into Skyward Family Access on the district website and update the Online Forms - Emergency Messages. Also, make sure you have the Grafton School District app, available from the App Store or Google Play.

How much snow needs to fall for school to be cancelled?
There is no hard and fast rule on the amount of snow needed in order for school to be closed. We will work with our bus company and our maintenance staff to determine if roads and our parking lots are safe for student travel before making a decision. 

How cold does it need to be for school to be cancelled?
If there is an extreme cold warning (wind chill or temperature of -30° F is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours), we would consider closing. When temperatures are that cold, students who are waiting at a bus stop or walking to school are in danger of frostbite.

What process do we follow to make a decision?
We monitor weather conditions the day before severe weather is predicted. If there is a forecasted storm or weather emergency, area superintendents connect the previous night to discuss. If weather conditions worsen beyond what was predicted the superintendent will be in contact with area superintendents and our bus company officials by 4:30 a.m. in order to have a decision by 5:30 a.m. We will always try and communicate any school closings as early as possible. When school is closed or dismissed early due to weather, all school-sponsored activities are also canceled. If an emergency is caused by a factor other than weather, school-sponsored activities may be conducted depending on safety conditions.

Please contact Superintendent Jeff Nelson or your school principal with any questions.