PALO PINTO
Independent School District
Inclement Weather
Occasionally inclement weather and other emergencies impact the time at which Palo Pinto ISD begins or ends the day and can even result in cancellations. When these circumstances arise, PPISD’s top priority is to communicate with parents so they can plan accordingly.
Here are some frequently asked questions to help parents and the community better understand the district’s inclement weather communication methods.
Inclement Weather FAQ
Q. How does PPISD’s automated calling system work?
A. PPISD uses School Messenger, which is a communication system that calls parents’ phone numbers when the district needs to relay an important message. Parents provide the phone numbers in this database when they complete student registration. Parents should receive the PPISD automated phone call at the phone number that parents indicated as primary contact (usually a home number), in addition to the other numbers parents listed.
During inclement weather (such as delays or cancellations due to icy conditions), the School Messenger system will attempt to call phone numbers for both primary and secondary contacts. If applicable, School Messenger may also call the contact number for a third party, if they are marked to receive correspondence.
If district officials mark the call as an “emergency” then ALL contact phone numbers for a student will be called with the same message. This would include a parent’s home, work, cell or any phone numbers they have listed.
Q. Is the district using other forms of communication to let families know if bad weather will disrupt school?
A. Yes. The automated phone call system is just ONE method PPISD uses to inform parents. Parents should not rely solely on this method. They are advised to also check local TV stations (Channels 4, 5, 8, & 11) and the PPISD website for information. The district will also attempt to put a notification on its Facebook account as well.
Q. If I know bad weather is expected in our area, what should I do?
A. Because weather updates can happen rapidly and to avoid miscommunication, please check the PPISD website &/or Facebook account. As we know, weather forecasting is an inexact science and weather predictions do not always materialize as forecasted.
Q. How do I find out if my child’s after-school activity has been canceled?
A. Please check the district website &/or Facebook account. Individual sponsors may also notify participating students.
Q. Will school be closed today?
A. When the threat or condition of extreme weather exists, Palo Pinto ISD officials will keep in close contact with the local TXDOT office. District officials will begin checking roads early in order to determine if school will be held as scheduled. Most decisions regarding school closure or a late start will be made by 6:00am, due to early bus routes.
Our personnel will be out in the early morning hours in order to make a recommendation by 6:00am to the superintendent about whether or not road conditions will allow our students and staff to safely travel between school and home.
When inclement weather conditions exist, parents are advised to listen for announcements regarding school schedules on local television stations, as well as to check the Palo Pinto ISD website &/or Facebook Account. Again, weather forecasting is an inexact science and conditions can change quickly or unexpectedly. Though we will make our best effort to make an informed decision about school delay or closure, you are encouraged to exercise caution and personal judgement so not to put yourself or your child in unsafe conditions.
Q. What happens with the bus schedules if school is delayed?
A. Once the decision is made to delay the opening of school, buses will run on a similarly delayed schedule. For example, if the school start time is delayed two hours, students will need to be at their bus stop two hours later than their regular time.
In the event the decision is made to delay the opening of school, District officials will continue to monitor road and weather conditions. If conditions do not improve, the District may ultimately decide to cancel school for the day. The decision to close schools in lieu of starting late will be made as early as possible so parents can make appropriate plans for their children. Parents should continue to monitor media outlets and the District website in these situations. The District will also utilize its automated notification system.
Q. What about after school and evening activities?
A. If school has been cancelled for the day, the assumption is that there will not be any after-school or evening activities unless otherwise communicated.
Note: Palo Pinto ISD does not typically release school early due to the threat of weather. We encourage daily attendance by all students for optimum learning.
Q. Are there bad weather make-up days?
A. Palo Pinto ISD School Calendar reserves two bad weather make-up days as required by law. If no school days are lost to bad weather, these dates will be used as holidays.