Closures and Delays

The entrance to Moorlands Elementary completely block by snow

If no schedule changes are posted, schools and buses are operating on normal schedules.

Emergencies such as inclement weather, power outages and hazardous road conditions can alter school schedules and affect bus transportation. The decision to close or delay schools is made by the superintendent as early as possible, usually around 5:30 a.m. Early dismissals will occur only if a delay in dismissal significantly increases hazards.

Scenarios: Closures, Delays, and Other Changes to School Programs/Services

If the District does not make an announcement, it means schools are open and buses operating as normally as possible. If there is a change to the schedule, one of the following messages will be announced:

Closed

All district schools closed
No after-school/evening activities, athletics or band/orchestra

On Time, Snow Bus Routes

Buses start at normal time on snow routes.
School starts at regular time.

2 Hours Late, Normal Bus Routes

Buses start 2 hours late on normal routes.
School starts 2 hours late with regular dismissal time.
No Preschool Programs: Kenmore - Head Start, Sorenson - Ready Start, Woodmoor - Head Start, Ready Start, or Phonology.
No ATI, Dartmoor, Brocks, or Dolan Academy.
No in-district CTE satellite shuttles.
No out-of-district transportation.
No zero period classes.
No before-school activities.

2 Hours Late, Snow Bus Routes

Buses start 2 hours late on snow routes.
School starts 2 hours late with regular dismissal time.
No Preschool Programs: Kenmore - Head Start, Sorenson - Ready Start, Woodmoor - Head Start, Ready Start, or Phonology.
No ATI, Dartmoor, Brocks, or Dolan Academy.
No in-district CTE satellite shuttles.
No out-of-district transportation.
No zero period classes.
No before-school activities.

How to Get Notified

Automated Message

In the event of a closure or delay, the District will contact families and staff using an automated messaging system in one or more of the following options:

Phone Call
Text Message
Email

These notifications will only work if your contact information is accurate in our student records system. We recommend that you contact your school's office every year to ensure we have your current contact information.

Social Media

Other Options

The District website will display a pop-up message.
Call the Northshore School District information line at (425) 408-6001.
Call your school's main phone number and select option '9' in the menu.
Local radio and television stations provide updates on a continuing basis beginning around 5 a.m. Since conditions vary from one district to another, it is very important to listen for mention of Northshore School District #417.
FlashAlert.net is a self subscription to the Puget Sound Emergency Message System.

Decision Process

Northshore staff follows a process with the utmost concern for the safety of our students and staff:

NOAA weather forecasts are monitored the day before a storm is predicted and during the early morning hours.
The Winter Watch Committee is notified of the possibility of weather issues and prepares for road evaluations.
Dispatcher is notified around 3 a.m. by district staff who work the graveyard shift if weather affects road conditions.
Dispatcher notifies Winter Watch Committee members around 3 a.m. to begin road evaluations and report by 4:15 a.m.
Winter Watch Committee members drive around five sectors of the district checking on road and traffic conditions (downed tree limbs, electrical lines, or road hazards), walking conditions, driveway and parking lot conditions and whether buildings are functional (electricity, heat, etc.) and report by 4:15 a.m. The five sectors are:
- Arrowhead - Inglemoor - Norway Hill - Westhill
- Kenmore - Frank Love - Shelton View
- Fernwood - Turner's Corner - Kokanee - Woodin
- Leota - Hollywood Hill - English Hill
- Timbercrest - Dump Road - Mink Road
Committee members rate 8-12 key areas of their routes on a four-point scale:
- 1 - normal
- 2 - minimal hazards present
- 3 - moderate (difficult to negotiate)
- 4 - severe (very hazardous)
Around 4:15 a.m. a recommendation about school operations is made based on the weather forecast, current weather conditions, input from neighboring districts and driving conditions.
Around 4:15 a.m. the Director of Support Services is notified of the conditions, consults with the Superintendent and key senior leaders. The Superintendent makes a final decision.

Other considerations:

The ability of staff to get to school safely and on time.
Providing a consistent message for working parents who leave home before their children leave for school.
The weather forecast for later in the day.

Traffic and Weather Resources

The following links may be useful to you in determining the status of traffic and roads.

Inclement Weather Questions & Answers

Can all district messaging be included in the text or voice message that goes out to families, to avoid needing to go to the website? To guarantee the quickest communication possible, the “urgent alert” sent using ParentSquare must be brief, requiring additional details to be posted on the website. An “urgent alert” allows for one short message, which is texted, emailed, and sent as a voice message, and staff do not have the ability to make the text or voice message longer, for instance. During the recent extended power outage and based on community feedback, staff adjusted their approach as the days continued in an effort to include the most critical details in the message. We will continue to evaluate our approach in order to improve our support of families, staff, and students.

When is the decision made to close or delay schools based on safety and weather conditions? The decision to close or delay schools in response to snow, power outages, and hazardous road conditions is made by the superintendent as early as possible, typically by 5:30 a.m. the day of school so that staff can know the most current conditions to make an informed decision. During last week’s extended power outage (November 2024), the superintendent was able to make decisions before school so that families could prepare, but that will not always be possible based on the situation. Power outages pose different challenges than snow and ice, and with information from our public utilities partners, the superintendent was able to make decisions earlier than might be possible with snow and icy road conditions. Please remember during inclement weather, if no decision is communicated, that means schools are operating as usual.

Is there a way for substitutes and contracted staff to receive alerts when school is closed or delayed? Yes, any individual who would like to receive emergency notifications can sign up for Flash Alerts, a self subscription to the Puget Sound Emergency Message System. The District uses this system to notify media of closures, delays, and snow route usage, and individuals can sign up. Information is added to Flash Alert by 5:30 a.m. or earlier if possible.

Who is responsible for clearing and maintaining public walkways and walking routes to school? Public sidewalks, off of District property, are maintained by the individual property owner, an HOA, or associated city. The District is responsible for maintenance of school property.

Who is responsible for clearing and maintaining roads near schools? The city or county are responsible for maintaining roads leading to our schools. We have requested that our public works partners make them a priority during an inclement weather incident. This request has been made for several years, and we will continue to advocate for our students, staff, and families.

Can the District implement a 2-hour delay for one school, but keep all other schools on a normal schedule? No. To delay the opening of a single school or a few schools would create multiple logistical problems. Our bus schedules are staggered, meaning schools start at different times with thirty minutes of flexible time in between. This staggered approach allows us to serve many different schools and programs with the same drivers. By delaying one school, we impact the operations of multiple schools within the district.

Why aren’t the school parking lots cleared of ice during a snowstorm? While our four large snow plows work well for snow removal, unlike city and county equipment they are not built to remove ice in our lots. Instead, we use de-icer and sand to melt the ice and provide additional traction. In most circumstances this approach works well, but if temperatures fluctuate, we need to sand and use de-icer after every freeze. Our grounds crew begins working at 5 a.m. and we prioritize schools most affected by severe weather, working to get to all schools early in the day.

What other areas of the school campus are addressed after or during a snowstorm? Our focus is to ensure our school campuses are as safe as possible. This includes sanding and using de-icer on our parking lots, clearing main walkways, portable ramps, special education bus zones, and entrances. Clearing main walkways, portable ramps, bus zones, and school entrances are the priority to open schools; the parking areas are addressed later. As with icy conditions near your home, please be very cautious when moving to and from the school building during inclement weather conditions.

The roads are icy. How are buses prepared for winter conditions? Almost all of the district’s buses are equipped with automatic chains to mitigate road conditions. All drivers are trained how to install chains if needed.

Is there a way for my student to receive alerts when school is closed or delayed? With ParentSquare (and the companion StudentSquare) in place, all secondary students will receive an email notification when school is closed or delayed. We encourage any secondary student with a cell phone or other device who wants to be notified of inclement weather and other emergency communications to download the StudentSquare app so they can receive app notifications as well. In addition, students are also welcome to sign up for Flash Alerts, a self subscription to the Puget Sound Emergency Message System. The District uses this system to notify media of closures, delays, and snow routes, and individuals can also sign up. Information is added to Flash Alert by 5:30 a.m. or earlier if possible. Messaging goes out from the district through phone call, text, and email shortly after.

It isn’t safe for my high school child to drive to school. Is there another option? We understand winter weather is challenging, especially for newer drivers. If you or your child is outside the walk zone, they have access to a Northshore School Bus. Routes can be found by going to Northshore’s Versatrans Inclement Weather Routes page. Login information is provided on the page. This website will give your student’s bus stop when the district is on snow routes. District buses are equipped with automatic chains to mitigate road conditions. If the district is not on snow routes, information about our regular schedule and routes can be found at Northshore’s Versatrans 2024-25 School Bus Routes page. Login information is provided on the page. If you live within the walk zone, on “snow days” or when the roads are icy, another option is to drive your student to and from school or utilize public transportation, if available in your area.

I am a student who drives and I don’t feel safe driving to high school. Is there another option? As mentioned, we understand winter weather is challenging, especially for new drivers. If you live outside the walk zone, you have access to a Northshore School Bus. You can find the route by going to Northshore’s Versatrans Inclement Weather Routes page, this will give you your bus stop when the district is on snow routes. District buses are equipped with automatic chains to mitigate road conditions. If the district is not on snow routes you can go to Northshore’s Versatrans 2024-25 School Bus Routes page. If you live within the walk zone, on “snow days” or when the roads are icy, another option for you to consider is asking an adult in your home to drive you to and from school or utilize public transportation, if available in your area.

My student needs to miss school because of snow or poor road conditions. Is the absence excused? Yes. We understand families need to make decisions about attendance based on their own circumstances. Please remember to inform the school and provide the reason for the absence.