School Closings and Delayed Starts
School closures during periods of inclement weather are based upon several factors:
- weather conditions that are both current and predicted to occur during the course of the coming day,
- road conditions and closures,
- and the ability of the school sites to prepare for the arrival of students for that day.
Decisions regarding school and district office closures are taken very seriously. Here are the factors that the district typically uses in making its evaluation:
- amount of current snowfall;
- strength of wind, drifting factor and visibility;
- temperature and wind-chill factor;
- utility outages;
- local business closures;
- and weather forecasting.
Overnight, TSD employees monitor city, county and state roadways throughout the district and evaluate travel conditions. They also monitor conditions at district sites as well as road advisories. Neighboring school districts and city, county and state agencies are also contacted to confirm delays or closures.
The superintendent may announce a late-start schedule for the opening of schools if weather or other emergency conditions are severe but not serious enough to close schools.
If the district decides to cancel school or initiate a late start because of inclement weather or other dangerous conditions, the announcement will be carried on radio and television stations:
- KCOL 600 AM
- KTRR TRI-102.5
- 1610 AM
- KUNC 91.5 FM
- KGRE 1450 AM (Spanish)
- KFKA 1310 AM
- KBNO 1280 AM (Spanish)
- Denver television stations
Communication Regarding School Closures
Announcements regarding school closures and delayed starts will be made via the district website, Facebook (“Thompson School District”), Twitter (@ThompsonR2J) and the district school closure line (970-613-6788).
A phone call, e-mail and text message will be sent to all district families who have authorized the communication in the Infinite Campus "Campus Parent." Media sources will be contacted for both school closings and late starts.
When schools are closed, all athletic events and practices are canceled as well.
Delayed Start (Add 2 Hours)
Communication
A delayed start or closure will be communicated in several different ways, including:
- District website
- Local media outlets
- Email and text message to parents/guardians
- Social media (Facebook - Twitter)
Start Time
Families will add two hours to the start of the school day, including adding two hours to morning bus pick-up times, morning programs and school start times at every level.
Please note that on Wednesdays, this will equate to a 1 hour delayed start due to the already established late start schedule.
End Time
School will end at the regular scheduled time.
Transportation
Morning bus pick-up will be two hours later than the normal pick-up time; afternoon bus drop-off times will not be adjusted.
Remote Learning Programs (TOL/SOARS)
Visit the Thompson Online or SOARS websites for late start information for the individual program.
Athletics, Activities and "Out-Of-District" Services
Athletics and activities will not be cancelled during the day of a delayed start. If the departure time is during the two-hour delayed start, the activity will be delayed by two hours. “Out of district” services will follow TSD’s delayed start schedule and not the schedule of the “out of district” placement.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten will start two hours later than normal start time.
Early Childhood
Morning Early Childhood classes will be canceled district-wide. Afternoon Early Childhood classes will remain with the normal start and end time. Full-day preschool classes will add two hours to their start time.
Harold Ferguson High School
The bell schedule at Harold Ferguson High School will not change. Doors open at 10:00 am, class begins at 10:10 am. Your student will be directed to go to the class they would typically attend at 10:10 am and then follow their class schedule as normal for the remainder of the day.
Thompson Career Campus
Morning classes at the Thompson Career Campus will be canceled. Afternoon classes will run from 1:30 pm to 3:50 pm.
Before-School Care Programs
Students in the morning programs will be canceled. Afternoon programs will end at their normal end time.
Nutrition Services
School meals will be available at all schools. Breakfast may not be available depending on the school site. Meal times will be adjusted based on the delayed start schedule.
Extracurricular Activities
Activities and field trips during the school day that require transportation will be canceled. Participation in non-district, statewide competitive activities will be determined by district leadership.