DENVER — Schools have a lot to consider ahead of this week’s winter storm.
At the root of these considerations is safety. Denver Public Schools said first and foremost, they want to make sure all students and staff can get to school safely.
The district's transportation team, facilities team, communication team and district leadership work together to decide whether to cancel school due to winter weather. They base their decision on reports from the National Weather Service, and what the weather is like at that time.
“We are watching the weather forecast just like everybody else to see when the storm is going to hit us, and how much it's going to impact us,” Scott Pribble, director of external communication for DPS, said.
The district's options are to keep school as scheduled, cancel school altogether, schedule a delayed start, or release students early. That last option would be the least likely, Pribble said.
“But if that snow lingers throughout Thursday, it could slow things down on Friday,” Pribble said. “We may have to do a delayed start or even a second day of cancellation, but that's something that is managed throughout this process.”
A father himself, Pribble said he knows snow days can be stressful for parents.
“Most of us are parents and it has impacts when our kids' school district, whether it's DPS or another, cancels school, so we understand that,” he said.
Pribble said it all comes down to the safety of students and staff.
“That's the primary impetus behind any decision about weather: can we do that safely?” Pribble said. “And take a look at things in actual time. We are in connection with the city. How are the roads being plowed? Are we keeping up or not? That type of stuff, so we can make the best decision for all of our people.”
Pribble said the district typically tries to move fast.
“We try to make that decision as quickly as possible, but at the same time, making sure we have all the facts before we make a decision,” he said.
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