Inclement Weather Information

LPS Community,

As winter quickly approaches, the potential for winter weather conditions will increase.  Know that we are committed to monitoring conditions closely.  Please take note of the following important reminders in the event we need to cancel our in-person classes at LPS (or implement a delayed start or early release schedule).  

Something we plan to continue for the 2023-2024 school year is that LPS will treat the first two inclement weather days as traditional snow days, meaning there will be no in-person OR virtual classes on those days.  It would be our expectation that students and staff are able to use these days as opportunities to enjoy time at home to relax, refresh, and do something you enjoy.  Additional information to know regarding these first two potential snow days includes:

• There would be no expectation for students or staff to engage in virtual activities.
• A THRIVE Activity Board will be available for students who have an interest in participating in academic activities.
• Before/After School Care (Kid's Zone) will continue to be offered for those families signed up for the program.  Additional details regarding this program and inclement weather days are provided later in this message.

In the event we have more than two inclement weather days, LPS would then transition to providing virtual learning for students.  The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is allowing for Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) days that provide us with the flexibility to allow virtual learning to take place on these days.  This will also allow us to greatly reduce the chances for the need to make up days at the end of the school year in May and/or June.

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Schedules (Inclement Weather Days 3 +):  In the event in-person classes are canceled, your child’s school and/or teacher will email families with detailed information that includes classwork, instructions, etc.  An LPS Virtual Schedule for Families document will also be made available and emailed prior to the start of the virtual day.  

For secondary face-to-face learning students, your child’s school will also communicate as to how the school closure will affect the remainder of the week’s school schedule.

Before/After School Age Care (Kid’s Zone): In the event school must be canceled due to inclement weather conditions, our LPS school-age care program (Kid's Zone) will be open and available at Liberty Oaks Elementary from 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. for children currently enrolled in this program. No enrollment or advance sign up necessary. Snow Days will be billed at the Non-School Day rate of $35. Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks will be provided. Please note that children will need to be signed in by 9 a.m. Parents, please remember to bring your parent pickup card with you.

Communication:  Decisions about school closings are made by the administration and communicated to parents via several sources, which include QuickNews, Blackboard Automated Phone Calling Service, District Facebook and Twitter pages, LPS District website, local television stations, KLPS Channel 18, and our mobile app. With our Automated Phone Calling Service, the most instant and direct means of sharing this information, we encourage our families to review your contact information in PowerSchool. We would also encourage families to contact the main office of your child's school if your phone number, email address, etc. needs to be updated.

It is always our goal to be able to make a decision to share with families by no later than 5:30-5:45 a.m., or if possible, the evening prior.  Parents should keep their children home if they believe weather conditions are too threatening or severe.  Early dismissals or late starts to the school day due to weather conditions are rare. However, parents should instruct children as to what to do, whom to contact, and where to go should school be dismissed early. 

Early Dismissals/Late Starts:  While not preferred, there is a chance we may need to either dismiss school early or start the school day late due to inclement weather conditions.  If this decision were to be made, we would communicate with families as early as possible in order to provide appropriate planning time.

As always, we thank you for your continued partnership as we remain committed to keeping the safety of our students and staff as our top priority.

Office of Communications
Liberty Public Schools