Inclement Weather Closings and Delays FAQ

Student and staff safety is the most important consideration when inclement weather forces decisions to delay or cancel school. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions we receive regarding inclement weather:
 
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
Q. How is the decision made to delay or close school for inclement weather?
The transportation director and other staff members will begin driving routes as early as 4:30 a.m. to evaluate local road conditions. Weather reports are reviewed from multiple agencies including city and county road crews on their findings during the early morning hours. The transportation director will update the superintendent, who is also in contact with area officials and neighboring school districts to determine the safety of the roads in their respective areas. 

As soon as possible, the superintendent will determine if school will be delayed and/or closed and takes into consideration several factors when making the final decision (i.e., weather predictions, time of day, wind-chill and road conditions).
 
Q. Where will information be posted regarding school delays and closures?
HSE Schools will notify families and staff by phone call, text and email through ParentSquare. Information and updates will also be shared in the following places:
Website: www.hseschools.org
Twitter: @HSESchools
  @HSETransport
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HSESchools/
Local Media:
WTHR                          WISH TV                      Fox 59                         CBS 4                           WRTV
 
Q. Why are school delays and/or closure decisions not made the night before?
Weather is very unpredictable in Central Indiana. Predictions of snowfall, ice or extreme cold do not always result in conditions that would justify delaying or closing school. Waiting until morning allows us to drive the roads and determine what is best for students and staff based on real-time weather and road conditions. 
 
Q. (NEW!) What type of learning/student instruction will take place when school is closed due to weather?
The 2022-23 school calendar was approved with two, built-in ‘Flex Days’ to be used in the event of an emergency school closure.

• When this option is available, there will be no instruction for students. The first two school closures (depending on when they occur in the calendar year) will be made up on the subsequent ‘Flex Days.’
• If and/or when ‘Flex Days’ are no longer an option, all PK-12 students will participate in synchronous (live) virtual instruction.

 
Q. (NEW!) What does a ‘Flex Day’ look like for students?
There will be no classroom or virtual instruction. Students, Pk-12, will attend school on the subsequent ‘Flex Day’ to make up for the loss day of learning.
 
Q. (NEW!) When are the ‘Flex Days’?
The ‘Flex Days’ are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Monday, Mar. 13.

• If these days are not needed to make-up for lost classroom instruction due to an emergency closure, students will not have school on these two scheduled days.

 
Q. (NEW!) What does an emergency closures day look like if a ‘Flex Day’ is not an option?
All students will be expected to participate in a synchronous (live) instruction via their device. Students should follow their daily schedule and check Canvas for any changes or additional information provided by their teacher(s).

• The student day for grades K-12 will begin at 9:30 a.m.

• AM Preschool classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and PM Preschool classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
• HSF Academy will begin its AM classes at 9:00 a.m. and PM classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.

 
Q. What if students have questions about their assignments during a synchronous instruction day?
Teachers will communicate to their students how they may be reached for questions or concerns throughout the day.
 
Q. What should a student do if they need to get in contact with their school counselor?
School counselors will monitor email for questions during a virtual instruction day.
 
Q. What if the student does not have their device at home and/or access to internet?
Students may complete assignments on any device using any internet connection available to them (friend’s house, library, etc.) Students should work with their teacher(s) for questions/concerns on when assignments would be due.
 
Q. How does my student log into Canvas?
Canvas resources for students, including login information can be found here.
 
Q. How will attendance be taken?
Because instruction will be synchronous (live), attendance will be taken by the teacher when class begins.

• The student day for grades K-12 will begin at 9:30 a.m.

• AM Preschool classes will begin at 8:30 a.m. and PM Preschool classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.
• HSF Academy will begin its AM classes at 9:00 a.m. and PM classes will begin at 12:30 p.m.

 
Q. Will all after-school activities be canceled if school is closed?
Typically, after-school student activities will be canceled when school has been closed all day. Please check your school's website and look for updates from coaches/club sponsors for specific information.
 
Q. When will HSE Schools use a two-hour delay?
A two-hour delay may be issued due to a variety of weather concerns, such as: snow, ice or extreme cold temperatures. When the temperatures dip below a certain threshold, it’s not only potentially hazardous for our students to be outside for extended periods of time, but the buses may also have trouble starting. Many times, the outside temperature will rise later in the morning, enabling our buses to depart safely, and students are not left waiting outside at the bus stop in the bitter cold. A two-hour delay also allows road crews additional time to plow and/or treat the roadways.
 
Q. What will the school day look like during a two-hour delay?
Doors to all school buildings will open two-hours later than normal. Breakfast will not be served during a two-hour delay, but lunch will be served. Dismissal for all students will take place at the normal time.
 
Q. How will the two-hour delay affect when my child gets picked up in the morning?
Buses will run on a two-hour delay for pick-up. (i.e., if your student has a 7:00 a.m. bus pick-up time, during a two-hour delay, the pick-up time will shift to 9:00 a.m.)
 
Q. Why does HSE have a two-hour delay instead of closing for the day?
The two-hour delay allows us to keep students and staff safety as a top priority, while also maximizing instructional time during the regularly scheduled school year.
 
Q. Other districts are delaying and/or closing for weather. Why aren’t we?
Each district has different roads, terrain, and municipal snow removal procedures. Additionally, nearby districts may receive slightly different weather conditions. We drive routes throughout our district to make sure drivers can safely arrive at school. The final decision is based on the specific conditions within the HSE Schools’ territory.
 
Q. My part of the city is safe to drive. Why are we delaying and/or closing school?
HSE Schools encompasses a variety of roads and terrain. This includes areas with narrow, steep hills that can become impassible in certain weather conditions, and rural areas where snow removal can be challenging. While your neighborhood may be passable, it does not mean that buses can safely take children to school in all parts of the district.
 
Q. My streets are pretty slick. Why wasn’t school delayed and/or closed?
We encourage parents and teenage drivers to use extreme caution when driving in less-than-ideal conditions. While you may experience more difficult driving conditions in your specific neighborhood, other areas may not.