Weather Related School Closings

  • Stay Warm and Informed

    When winter weather forces classes to be cancelled, you need to know right away.

    Winter weather is here, and Columbus City Schools is ready to help you plan ahead should the District be forced to cancel classes or shift to remote learning due to inclement weather or staffing challenges.

    Our goal is to announce a class cancellation or transition to a remote learning model as soon as we can, so we are constantly monitoring weather forecasts and road conditions, and staff absences, and will make an announcement the night before whenever possible. 

    If weather conditions are such that a determination the night before is not possible, the Superintendent and her Operations team will make a decision no later than 5:30 a.m. 

    Once the decision has been made, the next step is to alert parents, teachers, and staff. 

    STAY CONNECTED: news about cancellations of classes, a shift to remote learning, or the cancellation of extra-curricular activities, field trips, and/or student-athletic events due to inclement weather or staffing challenges, are shared in several ways.

    • Make sure the contact information on file at your child’s school is accurate. If you need to update this information, contact the main office in your child’s school or update online in Parent Portal. (This includes emergency contacts, phone numbers, and email addresses).
    • All families and staff will be alerted through an automated call, email, and text message from the District’s phone system. It is important to have your updated contact information on file in order to receive this notification.
    • Students should take their assigned Chromebook and charger home each night, should the decision be made to transition to remote learning.
    • Follow Columbus City Schools on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or check our website. As soon as the decision is made to delay or cancel school, we’ll share news about school cancellations, transitioning to remote learning, and other schedule updates on our social media pages.
    • Monitor the news on local television and radio stations.

    Extracurricular Activities, in the event of class cancellations or early dismissal due to inclement weather:

    • Cancellation of School Day - Generally, evening activities, events, and athletic practices are canceled when classes are canceled for the day; however, there are occasions when an event might occur even when schools have been closed. Please monitor the District’s website and social media outlets for special instructions (ccsoh.us).
    • Early Dismissal Due to Inclement Weather - Early dismissal for inclement weather will automatically cancel all after-school activities.

    HAVE A BACKUP PLAN: When inclement weather impacts the morning commute, the Superintendent plans to determine whether to cancel classes or transition to remote learning, as early as possible. This may be the night before if possible, or no later than 5:30 a.m. the next morning. If bad weather is forecasted for the afternoon, classes may dismiss as early as noon. Have an alternative plan for your child’s day already set.

    • Supervision: is your child responsible enough to be home alone or do they need someone to stay with?
    • Healthy Food: is there nutritious food available for your child to eat for breakfast and lunch?
    • Safe Location: if classes are dismissed early, does your child go home or another location? If your child is under the age of 8, will there be someone to meet them at the bus stop?
    • Engaging Activities: what safe activities do you have for your child to do if they are at home for an unexpected amount of time?

    Frequently Asked Questions about CCS weather and school cancellation process

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