Emergency Information

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In the case of an emergency or weather event, the school district will keep the community informed through a variety of methods. It is important for families to keep their contact information up-to-date in Skyward Family Access.


Depending on the situation, the district will use one or more of the following communication tools to communicate weather-related events or a school emergency:

Face painting at Lincoln Harvest FestivalSocial Media

One of the fastest means of getting information to our students, families and community is through social media. We share school schedule changes, as well as emergency information, on the school district's Facebook and Twitter social media pages. Occasionally, messages are also posted on the Olympia School District Instagram site.

 

District and School Websites

In the event of a change in school schedule due to inclement weather or an emergency, an alert message will appear at the top of the district and school websites when families or the community first open the sites. Additionally, depending on the situation, information may also be posted in "Announcements" near the top of the district and school website Home pages.

Automated Phone Calling System

The district uses an automated phone calling system to send RoboCalls to families to quickly notify them of emergencies or weather-related events. Families may identify which numbers they want called in Skyward FamilyAccess.

Text Messages

Families also have the option to receive text message notifications in the event of an emergency or inclement weather school schedule change. To sign up to receive text messages, visit Skyward FamilyAccess.

Email Notification

In the event of an emergency or school schedule change, the district will email families the information. Depending on the severity or time-sensitive nature of the situation, the district may also call or text the numbers families have on file in Skyward FamilyAccess.

Graphic of FlashAlertFlashAlert Newswire

FlashAlert distributes emergency messages, such as breaking news or weather closure information. The system collects emergency information and news releases from Puget Sound school districts and other organizations and distributes it to the news media via a continuously updated website and e-mails. It automatically places emergency information into the web sites of participating radio and television stations, as well as newspapers, and can send it directly to the public. To sign up to receive FlashAlert notifications, visit the FlashAlert newswire website. Information is published to major television and radio stations including the following:

 

  • KXXO Mixx 96.1

  • KIRO Radio 97.3 FM

  • KOMO Radio 1000 AM or 97.7 FM

  • KOMO TV Channel 4

  • KING TV Channel 5 or KONG TV Channel 6

  • KIRO TV Channel 7

 

Two-hour Late Start

Buses and schools are two hours late. There is no a.m. preschool, no zero hour classes, no before-school activities such as music or clubs, and no a.m. Avanti High program (for periods 1-3). Breakfast and lunch is served throughout the district. Other program-specific information is shared in district communication about the event, including whether buses will run on emergency snow routes.

Snowfall down by the docksEmergency Snow Routes

The district will make every effort to operate normally, despite the weather. On rare occasions, however, weather conditions may make it necessary to modify bus routes, and when that occurs, the Olympia School District and media outlets will announce the use of “snow routes” or “emergency routes.”

At other times, weather conditions may require schools to close early. In that event, the normal busing sequence will be followed -- that is, returning high school and middle school students home first, followed by elementary students approximately one to two hours later. Please instruct your child what to do should there be an early school closure when you are not home during the regular school day. Parents are also asked to remind students to be especially careful when walking or waiting for a bus during bad weather.

School Cancellation

Schools closed. Specific information about the status of after-school/evening activities will be shared in district communication about the event.

Please understand there are many factors when deciding to close or delay school. We exercise caution and overall safety for all 9,000-plus district students when determining if school should be canceled or delayed. The 80 square miles covered by our district are very diverse geographically, and what one family experiences can be very different from what another family is experiencing on the other side of the district. Staff drive the streets in the early hours of the morning to determine the safety of all routes.