Inclement Weather – Cancellations, Dismissals, and Closings

The safety of our students and staff is always the deciding factor when it comes to Cancellations, Dismissals, and Closings.  The District Office will monitor approaching inclement weather.  The Superintendent or his designee will make decisions on closing or delaying school based on information provided by the National Weather Service, the DOT, city and county officials, local law enforcement, meteorologists, and school staff personal inspection.

Announcements/notifications on delays, early dismissals or cancellations will be made through the news media, social media, and the district’s emergency notification system through Infinite Campus (voice call & text message).

The Superintendent’s decision is normally made no later than 5:30 a.m. to delay the beginning of the school day by two hours, or to cancel school.

If the decision is made to delay the beginning of the school day, conditions may change enough to warrant cancellation. The decision to cancel school following a decision to delay will usually be made by 6:30 a.m. and no later than 7:00 a.m.

Late Start–The District’s decision for a late start will be based on current or approaching weather and road conditions.  A late start will be used when information indicates improving road and weather conditions.  The safety of students and staff will always be the determining factor.  Typically, the delay will be 2 hours.

Early Dismissal–The District’s decision for an early dismissal will be based on current or approaching weather and road conditions.  The safety of students and staff will be the determining factor.  During school hours, notifications of early dismissal will be made in each building using established building procedures.

Cancellation–The District’s decision for a cancellation will be based on current or approaching weather and road conditions.  A cancellation will be used when information indicates road and weather conditions jeopardize the safety of students and staff.  The make-up of cancelled school hours may be completed at the end of the school year.

Activities / Facility Rentals – Please be aware when cancellations are made, athletic and activity events later in the day will also be cancelled. High school athletic and activity events later in the day may be held due to changing weather conditions. Facility rentals will be cancelled if the school is not held or dismissed early due to weather.

Kids Klub –  Kids Klub will open 2 hours later (8:30 a.m.) when there is a 2-hour late start.  If conditions change and warrant a school cancellation, parents will be informed to pick up their children within one hour of the notification. If there is early dismissal, Kids Klub will remain open, parents will be notified to pick up students as soon as possible, and Kids Klub will close at 5:00 p.m.

District Office – Every effort will be made to keep the central administration office open during inclement weather.

In the case of a delay or cancellation, please use the following guidelines.

  Two Hour Delay Cancellation
Little Rams Preschool AM Cancelled Cancelled
Kids Klub (Before/After) Opens 2 hours later Closed
High School Activities AM activities cancelled Activities cancelled pending ongoing weather conditions.
Junior High  Activities AM activities cancelled Activities cancelled
Spring Creek Activities AM activities cancelled Activities cancelled
Elementary Activities AM activities cancelled Activities cancelled

Tune into the following radio, TV stations, and online sites for current school delays or cancellations:

Radio
WHO (1040AM)
KISS (107.5FM)
The Bus (100.3FM)
KJJY (92.5FM)
KGGO (94.9FM)
The Hawk (97.3FM)
ALT (1063AM)
KXNO (1460AM)

Television
WOI (Channel 5)
KCCI (Channel 8)
WHO (Channel 13)
KDSM FX (Channel 17)
KCWI (Channel 23)

Des Moines Register

District website: www.southeastpolk.org 

District X (formally known as Twitter): @SEPschools

District Facebook: facebook.com/SEPSchools