Weather Info

Preparing for Winter Weather Delays and Closures

While we hope that a winter like last year's isn't in the 2010-11 school year forecast, we know that adverse weather conditions or other emergencies may require that schools be closed, delayed or release students early. If a schedule change is deemed necessary, announcements will be made by local radio and television stations after 6 a.m. The BCS website and Weather Hotline 255.5939 also will be updated with the current school closure/delay information. In addition, Buncombe County Schools will make use of its phone notification system to alert parents to important changes.

NEW! Contact Manager will allow customization of notifications!

Thanks to an upgrade of the school system's phone notification system, parents and employees will soon be able to customize which phone numbers are called for which purposes, including weather alerts, and even request text messages or emails. Watch for more information coming home soon with students and posted on individual school and district web sites.

It is very important for you to let teachers know what your child's "early dismissal plan" is. It is your responsibility to keep this information up to date. Please remember that teachers will not be able to call individual parents in the case of an early dismissal due to a shortage of phone lines. On days of inclement weather, please listen to the radio or television for possible early dismissal announcements, and inform your child what he/she is to do should school be dismissed early.

Closings and Delays

Adverse weather conditions or other emergencies may require that schools be closed, delayed or release students early. If a schedule change is deemed necessary, announcements will be made by local radio and television stations after 6 a.m. The BCS website and Weather Hotline 255.5939 also will be updated with the current school closure/delay information.

Announcements
If announcements are not posted on the BCS website or announced on radio or television, BCS’ buses will run routes on regular schedule and schools will open at normal times.  Due to isolated inclement weather situations, some attendance areas might close or have delays, while other unaffected areas will remain open.  If more than two of BCS' six attendance areas are closed, the entire system will close.

Early Release
If schools must release students early due to adverse weather or an emergency, parents/guardian will receive a phone notification call.  Announcements also will be made on radio and television.

A one-hour delay - School buses will pick up students one hour later than usual.
A two-hour delay - School opening/bus routes will be delayed for two hours.
One-hour early closing - All bus routes operate one hour earlier than the normal time.
Two-hour early closing - All bus routes operate two hours earlier than the normal time.