When Oldham County Schools experience inclement weather conditions, safety is the most important consideration.
Q: How is the decision made to cancel school due to inclement weather?
A: As early as 3 a.m., the chief operations officer and the director of transportation contact a group of individuals who drive throughout the district to test the roads. The team has divvied up the county into sections and each member drives a specific route, checking the roadways that are typically the most dangerous when snow covered. Even if the roads are initially satisfactory, the drivers may make several trips if snow continues to fall, or if the weather continues to deteriorate.
By 5 a.m., the group convenes to discuss the situation and share their impressions of the road conditions. The director of transportation contacts the state and county road departments to check on road clearing progress, too. Once updated, the COO makes the decision on whether to close school, delay opening or open on schedule. We try to make that decision before 6:00 a.m. whenever possible.
Q: Where can parents find information about school closings?
A: School closings, delays or early dismissals will be posted on the school’s website and social media sites as soon as the decision is made. An alert will be sent to parents via Infinite Campus Messenger but can take 45-60 minutes for all the calls to be delivered by the system.
You can specify how you want to receive alerts via voice, text and/or email. You can find instructions on this page. Delay and cancellation information will be sent as emergency notifications. If you need assistance with these preferences, please contact your school's office manager for assistance.
In addition to IC Messenger, we post notifications through several other communications channels. Our Facebook and Twitter accounts are verified — look for the checkmark next to our name to ensure you're on the official page.
District Website
Social Media Sites - Facebook and Twitter
Print media websites — The Oldham Era and Courier-Journal
Television media — WAVE, WDRB, WHAS and WLKY
Q: When will extreme cold close or delay school?
A: We are continually monitoring forecasted air temperatures as well as wind chill temperatures during morning transportation times. Although there is no set temperature that we will definitely close or delay, please know the safety of our students is of utmost concern and will make the best decision possible. We will make every effort to notify parents in a timely manner if we plan to delay or cancel because of extreme temperatures.
Q: What if bad weather arrives when children are in school?
A: If severe weather strikes while students are in school, a decision to close school for the remainder of the day may be made. Activating the transportation system due to inclement weather takes time. Transporting students safely will require carefully planned dismissal procedures. We also take into consideration the possibility of young children arriving home without an adult present during severe weather, or not even being able to get inside their home.
Q: Will all after-school activities for students be canceled if school is closed? What about after-school enrichment centers?
A: Extracurricular activities will be reviewed on an individual basis by the school principal in conjunction with central office input. Please check your school's website for specific information. The Oldham County Schools Arts Center and Oldham County Adult Education also post their own closing information. After-school enrichment centers will either open at 8 a.m., or will be closed for the day, depending on the severity of conditions. Parents will be notified by Infinite Campus Messenger as to whether the after-school enrichment centers will open at 8 a.m. or be closed for the day.
Q: What can parents do to help their students and schools prepare?
A: Review the information you have listed as emergency contacts and make sure that the numbers are updated, either through Infinite Campus or with your school’s office manager.
Contact your childcare facility, if necessary, to find out what their procedures are for inclement weather.
Make plans ahead of time and communicate them with your children so they understand what to expect during an early school dismissal due to inclement weather.
Understand that school closings are for the safety of children throughout the district. While the condition of your neighborhood streets may be fine, other areas of the district may be experiencing harsher weather.
