Inclement Weather

Closures and Delayed Starts

When dangerous weather conditions exist in the Kansas City metro area, Barstow may close campus and declare a snow day or an online learning day. When inclement weather is expected to be temporary, the school may implement a two-hour delayed start.

List of 5 items.

  • Campus Closed. No School.

    The first winter weather event of each year will result in a school closure, traditionally called a “snow day.” Students do not report to school and there will be no online learning.
  • Campus Closed. Online Learning.

    All subsequent days when campus is closed due to inclement weather, dangerous road conditions or other circumstances, classes will be held online with a modified schedule.

    • Lower school will operate online from 8 a.m.-noon.
    • Middle and upper school will operate online from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
    • Teachers will be available by appointment in the afternoon if students need additional help or have questions.

    Lower School Online Learning Schedule

    Each homeroom teacher will email families with their child’s schedule for the day and the video conferencing links for each activity.


    Middle & Upper School Online Learning Schedule


    The schedule below will be used in middle and upper schools for the appropriate day of the week when school operates online:


    Time
    Mon
    Time
    Tue
    Wed
    Thur
    Fri
    8:30-9
    Hour 1
    8:30-9:30
    Hour 1
    Hour 5
    Hour 1
    Hour 5
    9-9:30
    Hour 2
    9:30-10:30
    Hour 2
    Hour 6
    Hour 2
    Hour 6
    9:30-10
    Hour 3
    10:30-11:30
    Hour 3
    Hour 7
    Hour 3
    Hour 7
    10-10:30
    Hour 4
    11:30-12:30
    Hour 4
    Hour 8
    Hour 4
    Hour 8
    10:30-11
    Hour 5
     
    11-11:30
    Hour 6
    11:30-12
    Hour 7
    12-12:30
    Hour 8

    Teachers are available from 1:30-3:30 p.m. by appointment for additional support and questions.
  • Late Start Mornings

    When weather conditions are predicted to improve throughout the morning, Barstow may implement a staggered late start at 10 a.m for preschool prep-grade 5 and 10:30 a.m. for grades 6-12.
    • There will be no morning extended care or activities on late start days. 
    • Early childhood and lower school students report to their regular homeroom.
    • Middle and upper school students report to class as follows:
      • Mon.                       3rd hour
      • Tues/Thur.             2nd hour
      • Wed/Fri.                 6th hour
    • Lunch will be served per regular school-day schedules.
    • Dismissal remains 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
    • Afternoon extended care, extracurricular activities and athletics will be offered as scheduled.
  • Notification by 6 a.m.

    Decisions about closures, online learning and late starts will be made as early as possible, and are dependent upon current and forecasted weather conditions.

    When possible, decisions will be made the evening before to give families and faculty and staff time to plan. If conditions worsen during the night, a decision to close campus or implement a late start will be made by 6 a.m. using the school's emergency notification system (text, phone call and email), social media and the school website. 

    To ensure delivery of the notification, please keep your emergency contact information up-to-date in myBarstow.
  • Extended Care, IDEA Space, Extracurriculars & Athletics

    When campus is closed and no classes are in session, all activities, including extended care, extracurricular activities and athletic practices and games are canceled. IDEA Space will be closed during the school day, as well.

    On late start days, afternoon activities such as practices, rehearsals and IDEA Space after school classes may held, depending on conditions. A separate notification will be sent if these activities resume.

How Decisions are Made

The safety of our school community is at the center of each decision we make about campus closures, online learning and late starts. We use several tools and resources to make informed decisions about roads, campus conditions and extreme temperatures:

  • National Weather Service alerts and warnings, local forecasts. 
  • Snow and ice accumulation.
  • Snow and ice duration.
  • Essential campus functions, including electricity and heating systems.
  • Road conditions throughout the metro area. Barstow students come from more than 70 zip codes, with many student drivers.
  • Campus parking lot and sidewalk conditions.
  • Temperature and wind chill.
  • City and county advisories and closures.
  • Neighboring school district closures. 

A Word About Wind Chills

In some cases, extremely cold temperatures may prompt a change to the school schedule, necessitating an online learning day or late start.   

The National Weather Service issues a Wind Chill Advisory when wind chills are -15ºF or colder and a Wind Chill Warning when wind chills are -25ºF or colder. Temperatures in these ranges can cause frostbite within 10-15 minutes, and may also affect heating and electrical systems. Barstow will consider these advisories when making closure or late start decisions. 

Additional Information

If a severe weather event continues for more than one day, families will be notified in the same manner as the day before. Otherwise, families should assume classes will be in session and no other announcement will be made. 
 
Snow days are considered each year when creating the Major Dates calendar. Online learning options ensure that our students receive quality classroom instruction without the need to add school days in May after the published last day of school. 

Attendance

Decisions about school closures can be complicated. If the school remains open, but you are uncomfortable transporting your student to campus, you have the option to keep your child home. In this case, please call your division office or our attendance line at 816-277-0459 and your child's absence will be recorded as excused. There will not be an online learning option for these students.


 

Outdoor Recess & Breaks

Recess and breaks are taken outside when possible, so the school requests that students are dressed appropriately for all conditions when they come to campus. Division directors and teachers make decisions about indoor recess based on temperatures and precipitation throughout the day.