• How We Share News About Closures Caused by Snow and Other Inclement Weather

    11/18/2021
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    snow image

    (Photo by Beth Conyers)

    With the holidays upon us, we’re getting into the coldest time of the year, when snow becomes a greater possibility. It’s a good time for a reminder on how we keep you informed on school closures when inclement weather brings life in Portland to a halt. Here are the ways we get that information to you:

    • School Messenger:You can get text alerts and auto-dialer calls on your cell phone with important news and updates. Text “Yes” or “Y” to 68453.
    • Website:Our website, pps.net, will have immediate updates. Look for a yellow bar across the top of the home page when there is an urgent situation or weather-related closures.
    • Twitter:We put out urgent communications on this social media platform. Simply follow our account to get updates.
    • Facebook:We also put urgent communications on Facebook. “Like” our account to get posts into your timeline.
    • Phone calls:Auto-dialer calls go to the primary numbers on the student registration form in all supported languages. Remember to update contact information with your school if your phone number changes.

    The decisions about weather-caused closures and delays are made after a PPS transportation crew personally inspects roads starting at 2:30 a.m., and consultations with a large group of experts and district leaders. Read more about the process in a PPS Pulse story from March 2019.

    During the 2020-21 school year, inclement weather was not an issue as our schools were not open for in-person classes during the winter months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and classes were conducted remotely using a comprehensive distance learning (CDL) model.

    If inclement weather requires schools to close, will students be required to attend class virtually?
    No. In the event that inclement weather causes school closures, PPS will declare a “snow day." The School Board adopted a calendar that built in up to three replacement days in the event of school closures at the end of the 2021-2022 school calendar. Additionally, our PPS teaching and learning team is assembling lessons and resources that families can use during weather-caused school closures. These lessons will be optional for parents.

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