Inclement Weather

StudentFrom time to time throughout the school year, weather may force a change in the normal operating routine of the district. The district has in place a process to make decisions and the ability to communicate information to parents, students and staff in various matters about changes to the normal daily routine.

As routine is very important to our students, parents and community, the district will make every effort to adhere to the established school calendar and bell schedules; however the safety of students and employees is the highest priority. The following information will clarify how recommendations and decisions are made regarding the delay or possible closure of school, how information is disseminated to the families and as a community what you can expect.

As inclement weather and traffic will affect the bus schedule, we ask that families be patient and understanding. We will do everything in our control to provide accurate information regarding pick up times for your students. Please remember, the safety of your children is our primary concern.

Recommendation and Decisions

At approximately 2 a.m., designated transportation and operational personnel begin ongoing communication with the public works departments for the City of Lakewood and JBLM; drive roads throughout the district to determine the ability to safely transport students via school buses, determine the status of arterials (major and minor) making note of specific challenging areas; and reviews existing and anticipated weather patterns through NW Weathernet, local air traffic controllers and various news stations and surrounding school districts. Between 4:00 - 4:30 a.m., the Transportation Director contacts the Superintendent and relays the gathered information. The Superintendent then determines the feasibility of safely transporting children to and from school within Clover Park School District.

When at all possible, decisions regarding school delays or closures are made by 5:00 a.m. Clover Park School District uses a minimum of three separate communication processes to notify our families of changes regarding the normal routine. Each family's primary residence phone line is contacted with a standardized message of the anticipated change, the use of local area radio and television media stations is used to report the changes and the district's web page will report any changes.

What changes can parents expect?

The following emergency condition messages will be mostly used by Clover Park School District:

  • Two Hours Late. This means buses will begin their first route two hours late but at regularly scheduled stops, and schools will start 2 hours late.
    • NO half-day kindergarten, preschool, ECEAP or Head Start.
    • NO early release or transition programs.
    • NO out-of-district transportation.
  • Schools Closed. This means all Clover Park schools are closed for all regular and/or special education students.
    • No transportation will be provided to other schools outside of our district even though they may be open and operating on schedule.
    • All scheduled activities are also canceled.
    • District administrative offices will be open and administrators are expected to report to work as soon as safely possible.

How should you prepare for changes to the school day?

All families should have an emergency inclement weather plan in place that can be put into action on short notice. Ensure that your children have an alternate place to stay if you must be at work on a day when school has been delayed or canceled. Ensure a neighbor, family member or center is able to care for or receive students. Instruct students to report directly home or to their established care center immediately on arrival in the evening.

Public media stations that report school delays and closures:

Television Radio
AM Band FM Band
KOMO 4 KCIS 630 KPLU 88.5
KING 5 KIRO 710 KVTI 90.9
KIRO 7 KIXI 880 KUBE 93.3
KCPQ 13 KOMO1000 KMPS 94.1
KLAY 1180 KIRO 97.3
KGY 1240 KCMS 105.3
KQMV 92.5

Bus Service during Bad Weather

Parents/guardians need to plan for changes in bus schedules and routes during snowy/icy conditions.

Changes in district operating hours or bus service are announced on the Public Schools Emergency Communication System website at www.flashalert.net between 5-8 a.m. and be on all major radio/TV stations.

Announcements are for one day only.

No announcement about the Clover Park School District means that schools are open and buses are operating on regular routes and schedules. Be sure to listen for Clover Park School District NOT Lakewood SD, which is a small town north of Seattle.

During bad weather, the Clover Park School District sometimes operates on a " limited transportation" schedule, which could mean:

  1. School buses will operate on arterials or main streets only
  2. No Half-day programs (i.e., Head Start, ECEAP classes or after school activities or out-of-district transportation
  3. School buses will be operating on Snow Route Schedule

Unlike buses that normally travel on primary and secondary arterials, special education buses often travel on residential streets. Secondary roadways are not cleared by the city during bad weather and can be dangerous or inaccessible. Narrow streets and residences on hills add to our concern. For these reasons house-to-house bus service may be canceled or limited. An alternate location will be established.