September school snow day possibility in a pandemic: What does that look like?

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — With freezing cold temperatures and snow accumulation in the forecast for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, schools in the Pikes Peak region have been forced to think about snow day plans historically early.

“So in normal years we have a very consistent snow closure and delay policy, but this year it’s different because this year we’re in a pandemic,” said Allison Cortez, the District 20 Chief Communication Officer. “Our students are learning in all new ways…and so we have new snow protocols this year.”

For Academy District 20, middle and high school students will continue with remote learning if there’s a snow closure Wednesday.

“This is something we’ve been working on before this year," Cortez said. "So for the last two years, we've been trying to figure out how can we transition so that when we have a snow day, the learning still continues. So in some ways COVID forced our hand a little bit.”

However, it's possible that elementary school students, whether they've taken the in-person learning option or not, will not have school at all if the district closes for weather.

Cortez says a snow day decision will still be made by 4:30 a.m. Wednesday like in previous years. That’s so the school can notify families by 5 a.m. 

D20 families can opt-in to communication from the school here.

KRDO reached out to other school districts in the area to find out about their snow day plans but has not yet heard back. Parents and students should watch Good Morning Colorado beginning at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday for a list of school closings.