Winter Weather Procedures

In most cases, the decision USD 365 will be faced with will be to either close school for a day or decide that conditions allow for school to be in session. However, occasionally the district may choose to delay the start of the school day by two hours.

What is the procedure for determining to close school due to inclement weather? School board policy GG: School may be dismissed at the Superintendent’s discretion when the wind chill factor is -30 degrees or in other unusual conditions or circumstances.

We post messaging about delays and/or closures to: 

• Smart Alert in ParentSquare: Sent instantly to parents and staff
• The district and school websites: www.usd365.org
• District Facebook: https://https://facebook.com/usd365
• Local Media
  • KSHB – 41
  • KOFA – AM
  • WIBW
  • WIBW – AM
  • KCTV – 5
  • KMBC – 9
  • KSNT – 27
  • Lazer 105.9
  • Fox – 4

If the weather is poor, allow extra time to get where you need to be and make sure you have prepared your children with warm coats, boots, hats and gloves. To prepare for delays and closures, please make sure you have a care plan in place for your children should you need to report to your employment. It’s also time to be prepared for winter driving.

Two Hour Delay Information

USD 365 has an option for inclement weather days: school cancelation or two-hour delayed start. The two-hour delayed start may be used when temporary adverse weather conditions exists, including extreme wind-chill conditions or unfavorable road conditions. Two-hour delayed starts maximize instructional time with students rather than closing for the entire day.

In the event of a two-hour delayed start, all school start times will be delayed by two hours. All morning bus pick-up times will also be delayed by two hours. Schools will end their day at the regular time and after-school bus routes will operate on their normal schedule.

Important Information for a Two-Hour Delayed Start

• Transportation
  • All morning bus routes run two hours later than normally scheduled. This means if your child is typically picked up at 7 a.m., they will now board the bus at 9 a.m.
  • There will be no preschool, morning or afternoon
• Before the school day
  • Breakfast will not be served at schools on two-hour delayed start days.
  • No athletic or activity practices before school
• School Day
  • All field trips leaving before noon are canceled
  • All preschool classes morning and afternoon are canceled

Two-Hour Delayed Start FAQs

• When will you make the announcement?
  • Our goal is to announce delays and closures by 6:00 a.m. USD 365 will make an attempt to announce two-hour delayed starts or closures the evening before, if possible. Families will receive an automated alert from ParentSqure alerting them to delayed starts and school cancelations. Information will also be posted on the USD 365 Facebook and area Television/Radio stations.
• Why didn’t USD 365 make the same decision as another school district?
  • Weather conditions vary across the area, and one district may be more affected by bad weather than a neighboring district. Conditions can vary even withing USD 365, which spans over 400 square miles
• Can I choose to keep by child home from school on a delayed start day?
  • If families choose to keep their child home on a delayed start day, they should report the absence in the normal manner.