The morning after a snowfall can be hectic, both at home and on the road. Here’s a look at what could happen if severe weather impacts the school day.
Is the school closed today?
To find out if your Indiana school is closed, visit your school district’s website or check your email, text messages, and other official school communications, such as ParentSquare.
Who decides whether school is closed or postponed? What do schools take into account?
In many school districts, superintendents make the final decision after weighing several factors, such as traffic safety and weather forecasts. If district leaders choose to close school for the day or have a two-hour delay, they will likely make the call early in the morning before 6 a.m.
Previously: Who is making the call to close schools in Central Indiana?
It’s not always just about the snow. If it’s too cold, school districts can ask for a delay to avoid waiting for roads to clear. A delay can keep students walking or waiting for a bus from getting out early in the morning when the day is at its coldest.
According to previous IndyStar reports, many school districts in Marion County are using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s wind chill chart to help make decisions. According to the NOAA map, wind speeds would have to reach 55 miles per hour for the freeze to hit within 10 minutes when the air temperature is 0 degrees.
If severe weather causes problems with heating or water supply, it could lead to the closure of individual schools.
How many e-learning days can Indiana schools have?
A law passed in 2022 allows school districts to have three virtual asynchronous learning days per year. This came after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many districts experienced periods of remote learning.
Schools can have as many synchronous remote learning days as they want.
If a school needs to implement more than three asynchronous days per school year, it can request a waiver, but it will only be approved under “extraordinary circumstances.”
What is the difference between synchronous and asynchronous learning?
A synchronous learning day is virtual but has a live element, such as live teaching on Zoom or another platform. Students can communicate with teachers and classmates in real time. More than half of the day must be live to be considered synchronous.
An asynchronous learning day means that at least half of the virtual learning is self-paced, with little or no live interaction with the teacher throughout the day.
Schools have opted for asynchronous learning days when there have been spikes in COVID cases or severe weather, or to offer training for teachers.
School news: What Indiana’s largest school district says lawmakers should focus on in 2025
Former IndyStar reporter Rachel Fradette contributed.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: School closures and delays in Indiana: How decisions are made
