Inclement Weather

Overview

Winter weather may impact school operations resulting in delays, early releases, and possible closure. Here is what you need to know and possible changes that may occur.

How Does the District Determine If the Roads are Safe?

When winter weather is in the forecast, at approximately 3:30 a.m., designated transportation staff drive roads throughout the district to determine the ability to safely transport students.

Our district has varying terrain that needs to be taken into consideration. Staff assess major and minor roads with anticipated weather patterns.

Between 4 and 4:45 a.m., the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and School Support and the Superintendent’s Office determines the feasibility of safely transporting students to and from school based on information received from the district's snow patrol.

When at all possible, decisions regarding school delays or closures are made by 5 a.m.

How We Communicate

The district communicates impacts to school schedules via the following:

Automated Phone Calls, Emails and Text Messages

Our automated parent notification system can rapidly alert parents of weather-related school closures or changes in start or dismissal times. 

In an emergency, the system is programmed to call and/or text the cell, home and work phone numbers of parents/guardians listed on the child’s enrollment record.

For general non-emergency announcements, the system calls/texts the home number only. 

Make sure contact information is up to date and notify your school office of any changes as soon as possible.

Website Alerts

Social Media

Local TV/Radio Announcements

Possible Changes

Schools Open, Limited Transportation

Schools will operate and buses will stop at all regular stops with the exception of these routes.

On these days, the bus stops linked here will not be serviced, resulting in students being picked up and dropped off at alternate bus stop locations.

Families are encouraged to know if their child’s bus stop is on this list and prepare for inclement weather days in which bus transportation is limited.

Closure

All schools in the Puyallup School District will be closed.
No out-of-district transportation.
No Right At School childcare. All full-day childcare and before/after school childcare is canceled.
All after-school and evening activities are canceled unless otherwise noted.

If You Are PSD Staff...

A school closure is a non-workday for school year only staff.
Full-year staff are expected to come into work when safely able to do so, or report an absence if unable to work.
Contact a supervisor with questions about individual work schedules.

For Everyone

Monitor the web as changing weather conditions may continue to alter school operations.

2-hour late start (Monday only)

All schools will begin 1-hour later than the regular Monday late start bell schedule.

No out-of-district transportation.
All before-school activities will begin 2-hours late.
No AM or Extended Day Preschool.
No AM Summit/IAES. Before school childcare programs through Right At School will operate 2-hours late, opening at 8:30 a.m.
No breakfast; lunch will be served.

The district may also cancel after school activities, athletics and extra-curricular events due to inclement weather on a late start day.

Continue to monitor the web as changing weather conditions may alter school operations.

2-hour late start (Tues.-Fri.)

All schools will begin 2-hours late.
No out-of-district transportation.
All before-school activities will begin 2-hours late.
No AM or Extended Day Preschool. No AM Summit/IAES.
Before school childcare programs through Right At School will operate 2-hours late, opening at 8:30 a.m.
No breakfast; lunch will be served.

The district may also cancel after school activities, athletics and extra-curricular events due to inclement weather on 2-hour late start days.

Please continue to monitor the web as changing weather conditions may alter school operations.

Puyallup Digital Learning

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Delay Schedule

Puyallup Online Academy (POA): Classes will begin at 10 a.m.
Puyallup Parent Partnership Program (P4): Classes will begin at 11 a.m.

Wednesday Delay Schedule

Puyallup Online Academy (POA): Meetings will begin at 10 a.m.
Puyallup Parent Partnership Program (P4): Classes will begin at 11 a.m.

School is Cancelled

No classes for P4 and POA.

Right at School

Family Plan

Each family should have a plan covering what to do when children arrive home early due to an emergency or weather-related situation.

Please develop a plan and practice it with your child. If you will not be home, instruct your child as to where they should go in the event of an early dismissal due to emergency conditions.

Limited Transportation Routes

Weather may impact school operations resulting in delays, early releases, and possible closures.

Occasionally, weather conditions also impact bus transportation resulting in limited bus transportation districtwide due to inclement weather. In these instances, a school open with limited transportation protocol will be implemented.

On these days, the following bus stops will not be serviced. Families are encouraged to know if their child’s bus stop is on this list and prepare for inclement weather days in which bus transportation is limited.

Limited bus transportation, otherwise known as snow routes, allows us to keep schools open while servicing those areas throughout the district that are safe for buses when bad weather occurs.

On these days, schools will be open and buses will stop at all regular stops with the exception of the following areas (click on the neighborhood to view routes):