Weather Information

• Safety of all students, staff, and families
• Ensuring the basic needs of all students for food and safe shelter
• Protecting access to instructional time

The district has an Inclement Weather team that evaluates the following:

• Assess the readiness of district schools and facilities

• Monitor conditions and forecasts before weather events

• Stay in communication with relevant agencies

• Consult with neighboring school districts 

• Drive all designated bus routes thoroughly in our district

Based on a recommendation that prioritizes safety of students, staff, and families, a decision will then be made and communicated to all staff, families, and the community.

Decisions are made as soon as possible, based on the best information available. Our teams work diligently to measure conditions and obtain sound forecast information from government agencies.

We make every effort to announce a decision early so families and staff can plan for work and childcare situations. Whenever possible, we announce a decision by 6:00 p.m. the evening before a schedule change for inclement weather or icy road conditions. 

Emails and phone calls may take up to 30 minutes to arrive once a decision is made, and when necessary we may call during evening and early morning hours.

Some drivers travel long distances to operate buses that leave before 5:30 a.m., so early decisions and notification are important.

• Mass notification by phone call, email, and text (SMS) message

• Push notification in Parent Portal, via Infinite Campus phone all

• OCS website and school websites

• OCS social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)

• Staff email from district or supervisor

• News media, including TV or radio stations and online media outlets

• How does a decision to delay, close, or dismiss schools affect Orange County Schools?

Orange County Schools serves a community covering hundreds of square miles, and inclement weather or road conditions can often impact certain areas while leaving other areas completely unaffected.

Every decision to close, delay, or dismiss schools is made for the entire district as a whole and will always reflect the best possible decision to serve all the students, families, and staff of our district.

State and local government agencies are responsible for clearing roads. Orange County Schools clears driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks in all our schools and facilities.

Follow guidance communicated by the district, and refer to OCS Inclement Weather procedures to ensure the safety of all students and staff. For questions, staff should contact their supervisor at the school or in OCS central services.

OCS will use phone call, email, and text (SMS) messaging to contact staff.

• Changes to student, family, or household data must happen at the school level.

• Please visit the school or contact your school data manager to change phone number, email, or preferred method of contact. 

Schools may ask clarifying questions or request that parents/guardians appear in person to verify their identity before a change can be made.

No. When operations return to normal, or once a decision is made to close, delay, or dismiss schools, there will not be additional notifications from the district.

• Facebook: @OrangeCountySchools

• Instagram: @OrangeCoSchools 

• Twitter (X): @OrangeCoSchools

• Extracurricular and athletic activities will be canceled if schools are closed or dismissed.

• Afterschool Programs operated by YMCA of the Triangle will not operate when schools or facilities are closed to students.

• Essential operations staff may continue to maintain and prepare the district and schools for opening safely.

• Staff will follow OCS Inclement Weather Procedures when a decision is made.

• The decision whether to make up missed days or hours is based on Orange County Schools academic calendars and calendar requirements for state employees.

• OCS year-round and traditional calendars provide more than the minimum 1,025 hours required by state law, and make-up time may not be required based on the number of weather events in a school year.

• Staff will follow OCS Inclement Weather Procedures and guidance from their supervisor.

• Keep all your information (address, phone, email, emergency contacts) up to date in Infinite Campus with your school’s data manager

• Monitor all communication channels listed here

• Avoid calling the district or schools, to keep phone lines open in case of emergency

• Have backup plans for childcare and school transportation

We make every effort to make a wise decision in every case based on safety and students’ needs. We know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel it is safe for your child to attend school, we respect the judgment of parents/guardians on whether he or she should attend. Also, discourage teenagers or inexperienced drivers from driving in potentially bad conditions.

Power to our schools is monitored during outages and restored the same as it is to the homes of our students, families, and staff.

Duke Energy and Piedmont Electric Cooperative supply power to schools and facilities in our area, and they provide service maps in case of power outages.

• Duke Energy

• Piedmont