HSD makes every effort to ensure safety throughout the District. In the unfortunate event that safety is compromised, District leaders will communicate to staff, students and parents on the situation and potential impacts. These communications include information on school closures or late starts due to weather or natural disasters, structural damage to buildings or any potential threats.
Inclement weather policy:
Closing school or changing start/end times as a result of weather is not a decision the District takes lightly. Ultimately, it is based on the condition of area roads and/or weather conditions and prediction models that put the safety of our students, teachers, staff and bus drivers into question.
If there are problems with the roads due to snow or ice, there are several events that occur depending on severity:
1. Schools open on time: buses on regular routes
2. Schools open on time: buses on snow routes
3. Schools on two-hour late start: buses on regular routes
4. Schools on two-hour late start: buses on snow routes
5. Early release due to inclement weather
6. Schools closed due to inclement weather
In the event of late a start, school begins two hours later than the regular starting time, and there will be no morning preschool. There are no before-school activities during a two-hour late start and there are no buses to Cascadia Technical Academy (HHS students). Please see your school’s website for their two-hour late start schedules.
If the district is operating on snow routes in the morning, buses will also be on snow routes in the afternoon, even if the roads are dry, to eliminate confusion of pick-up points. Parents who have to drive their children to school in the morning will also need to make arrangements to pick them up in the afternoon.
Snow route information is available on our Busing Information page.
If the Hockinson area experiences inclement weather during the school day and buses cannot safely transport students home, students will be kept at school to wait for their parents or to make other transportation arrangements. If the bus driver believes a student may be locked out of their home during bad weather, the student will be returned to their school (or to the District Office if their school is closed). There are no before school or after school activities during a school closure.
Weather-related frequently asked questions (FAQ):
Who makes the decision to close or delay school due to inclement weather?
The Superintendent is responsible for making the final decision, based on recommendations from Cascade Student Transportation, our contracted bus service provider. Recommendations are based on up-to-the-minute weather models and road conditions (transportation officials will survey roads beginning at 3 a.m. if inclement weather is in the forecast).
When will I know if school is closed or delayed?
We understand that schedule changes represent major inconveniences for families. The District will make every effort to inform parents about closures and delays no later than 6 a.m. That said, weather is unpredictable and conditions may force us to make decisions after that time.
How can I get the latest information on school closings or schedule changes?
Hockinson School District will place calls and send emails to families through our automated notification system. Additional announcements are made by local media via FlashAlert News, the District's homepage (as well as individual school pages) and our social media pages.
You can make sure you are informed by updating your contact information with the District’s Family Access (Skyward) system and by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
Read more weather FAQs here.