Peyton Inclement Weather Decision Guide

PEYTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 23-JT

INCLEMENT WEATHER DECISION GUIDE

The information below explains how Peyton School District 23-JT makes winter weather-related delay or closure decisions. We've also included a few helpful weather-related links for our families.

FORECASTS

Our weather decision team begins studying forecasts from multiple credible weather sources, including local meteorologists and the National Weather Service, typically 24-48 hours before a potential winter storm event. Once a winter storm hits, reports and conditions are monitored continuously. We study not only the weather predictions for morning travel hours and afternoon departures times, but also for the entire day.

ROAD CONDITIONS

If inclement weather is expected, Peyton team members drive roads, including primary and secondary routes, focusing on rural areas of our district, paying attention to snow amounts, iciness, drifting, and visibility. Please note that our district spans 122 square miles, encompassing both El Paso and Elbert Counties. Conditions can vary significantly from one part to another. Each area has different topography, road maintenance, and impacts different parts of our district in varying ways. We take all areas of the district into account when making our weather decisions.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature and wind chill also affect Peyton's decisions around delays and closures. If our weather sources issue a wind chill advisory, Peyton will consider this factor when making a final determination.

CONSULTATIONS

When winter storms are forecasted, our superintendent and transportation representatives are in contact with other school districts in the region, law enforcement regarding closed roads or accidents, and the state and county departments of transportation for snow removal status.

OPERATIONS & TRANSPORTATION

While our team is checking roads, Peyton facilities staff members are clearing snow at schools and ensuring that all heating systems are running (and all systems are functioning correctly). On days with a 2-hour delay, the transportation department makes every effort to keep our buses running on time and safely. Some buses may run late if roads are slick or snow-packed.

DECISION & COMMUNICATION

We make every effort to inform our families of delays or closures due to weather as soon as possible. Sometimes it is the night before, sometimes it is not feasible until the morning. If the information is available the evening or late night related the day before a delay or closure, our goal is to inform families and staff by no later than 9:30 p.m. If a call is not made the night before, our goal is to notify families by 6:00 a.m. the following day.

Primary communication methods include:

Text and email notifications via Infinite Campus
Website updates at peyton.k12.co.us
Classroom Dojo for Peyton Elementary families
Local news channels for broadcast alerts

FAMILY CONSIDERATIONS

It is always a good idea to remind students to dress appropriately for the winter weather conditions.

Additionally, please note that ultimately, it is a parent or guardian's decision whether to send their student to school in the case of a two hour delay due to inclement weather. We will not penalize students if parents/guardians keep them home in the case of a two hour delay, but families do need to report a student's absence to the main office.

Our top priority is always the safety of our students and staff, and we will work diligently to strike the important balance between keeping school open for learning and calculating the risk of unsafe road conditions. We thank everyone in our Peyton community for their trust and support.