Inclement Weather & Snow Day Protocol
At GHAPS, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families guide every weather-related decision. We value learning and understand the disruption that a school closure can cause, which is why we do not make these decisions lightly.
How We Decide to Close School
When a “snow day” or inclement weather closure is needed, we aim to notify families as early as possible—typically before 5:30 a.m., and sometimes the night before. District officials monitor conditions throughout the night in consultation with local road crews, area superintendents, and a National Weather Service meteorologist.
Factors considered include:
Road conditions: Snowfall amounts, drifting, ice, and the condition of main, side, and dirt roads.
Timing of the storm: Whether roads and parking lots can be cleared in time for safe bus transportation.
Ice or freezing rain: Including potential for downed trees or power lines.
Extreme cold: School may close due to dangerous wind chills, typically when the combined temperature/wind chill falls below -19 to -22°F, based on the frostbite risk at the 30-minute exposure threshold.
Building issues: Loss of heat, power, or water service.
Resources from Weather.gov
How We Communicate Closures
Once a decision is made, the district will notify families through:
ParentVue: Email notifications will be sent to all parent/guardian contacts listed in our Student Information System. If you haven’t done so recently, make sure your email address is up to date by logging in to your account in the “My Account” section of the ParentVue website or app.
Nixle Text Alerts: Families can sign up to receive urgent text alerts by creating an account at local.nixle.com/register and entering a local address (either a home address, a nearby intersection, or, for those living outside of district lines, a school address).
Local Radio/TV Outlets: The following stations include school closure listings on air or online: WAWL 103.5, WGHN 92.1, WZZM 13, WOOD TV8, FOX 17, and News Channel 3.
District Website: A pop-up alert will be added to the district’s home page at www.ghaps.org.
Social media: Facebook and Instagram pages
In rare cases, weather may require a mid-day early release. If that occurs, every effort will be made to dismiss elementary students no earlier than 3:15 p.m., with secondary students released earlier as needed to ensure timely bus routes.
Athletics & Evening Activities
Decisions regarding the cancellation of athletics events or other evening activities will be made and communicated no later than 1 p.m. on the day of the event via FinalForms or ParentVue email.
Family Decision-Making
GHAPS spans more than 100 square miles, and conditions can vary across the district. While we work to make the best decision possible for the entire community, parents always have the final say in determining whether it is safe for their child to attend school.
Winter Gear & Recess
Students should come prepared with proper winter gear for traveling to and from school and for outdoor recess. Elementary schools generally go outside when the actual temperature and wind chill are above 0°F. Families needing assistance with winter gear should contact their school principal or social worker.