Winter weather FAQs for parents and students.
With winter weather upon us, Claremore Public Schools provides information that may answer frequently asked questions regarding winter weather scenarios.
Winter weather FAQ for parents and students.
Our goal is to hold school according to the calendar approved by the Board of Education. We understand the logistical challenges caused by closing school with limited notice and will only do so if needed to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Several factors are considered when deciding to close, including the amount of snow or freezing rain, road conditions, temperature, wind chill, and the ability to clear parking lots and sidewalks. District administrators closely monitor local forecasts and continuously consult with trained meteorologists from local media partners when the potential for severe weather is first announced.
Because forecasting is not a guaranteed science, we will also exercise caution when the forecast calls for inclement weather to begin during the school day. We do not want to put students in danger by bringing them to school and then transporting them back home in unsafe road conditions.
District administrators personally drive roads within the district to determine conditions beginning as early as 3 a.m.
The decision to close or move to distance learning will be made daily by 6 a.m. for the day in question unless we know before that time (i.e., extended consecutive days). Please expect to be in school according to the approved academic calendar unless a message is sent out announcing a closure or distance learning day. The website and mobile app are the most reliable and accurate information sources.
When and how will I be notified that the school is closed?
Our goal is to make the final decision to cancel school no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day under consideration.
There are some circumstances where severe winter conditions already exist, and we can determine the need to close school the night before. However, we know the weather in Oklahoma can change rapidly, and even the best forecast may change before a storm hits.
If school closes or adjustments to the schedule need to be made, an announcement will be made via
the district's alert notification system, including all calls, text messages, and notifications through the mobile APP,
the district website,
the district's Facebook, and
local television stations.
Parents and community members can also receive push notifications by downloading the Claremore Public Schools mobile app. Download the app here: Android or iPhone.
To ensure you receive these messages, please ensure your contact information is up-to-date in the parent portal in the Infinite Campus system. You may contact your child’s site Registrar or the Enrollment Center if you need assistance.
When school is closed due to weather, all afterschool activities, including athletic practices, home competitions, and district evening events, will be canceled if school is closed.
Will all closures be considered Distance Learning days?
CPS has two options for school closures based on the circumstances and the District’s ability to meet the State Department of Education's hour requirements.
Option #1 - Good Old Fashioned Snow Day: All Claremore Public Schools are closed. No after-school activities will occur on days when schools are closed due to inclement weather. This option will be used based on the weather event and the District’s ability to meet the State Department of Education's hour requirements.
Option #2 -Distance Learning (DL) Day: All Claremore Public Schools are closed for in-person learning and students will have a Distance/Virtual Learning day. No after-school activities will occur on days when schools are closed for in-person learning due to inclement weather. If it is designated as a DL day, students must complete the lessons assigned by their teachers on that day in Google Classroom to be counted as present during distance learning days.
In preparation for either option, all students 8-12 should bring their school-issued devices and chargers home daily. Teachers K-7 will send home devices when potential weather is identified.