Inclement Weather/Cancellations and Delays

A recent change in state law requires Ohio's public school districts to comply with minimum hours of instruction rather than the previous requirement based on a minimum number of school days each year.

Under the new law, our high school students can be out of school due to calamity days for no more than 187 hours, or the equivalent of 28 school days. Likewise, our middle school students can miss school due to calamity days for no more than 158 hours a school year, or 24 days. Finally, our elementary students can miss no more than 175 hours, or 28 days.

In the very unlikely scenario where we miss more school hours due to calamity days than the state's minimum requirement allows, the district would then extend the school year by whatever difference remains to meet the state’s minimum hour requirements.

For more information on the subject, visit the Ohio Department of Education's "Guidance on Schedule Change from Days to Hours."

There may be days that weather conditions are safe for travel in the morning but hazardous by the time of Olentangy’s normally scheduled dismissals. When this is the case, district administrators will consider an early dismissal option. Implementing an early dismissal in a district that covers 95-square miles and serves more than 20,000 students is a very complicated process that must take into account several factors, including the possibility of sending younger students home before their parents can return and the fact that many of our bus route are “triple-routed” (serving high school, middle school and elementary school students) and take 2.5 hours to complete.

Because of these complicating factors, the district has set an 11 a.m. target cut-off time for deciding to implement an early dismissal. This gives the district enough time to contact the bus drivers, get the bus routes up and running, and notify the parents of Olentangy’s more than 20,000 students.

If the district decides not to implement an early dismissal, parents may choose to pick up their students early without attendance consequences. Arrangements can also be made for student drivers. Parents of student drivers may also opt to have their children ride the bus on days when road conditions could be challenging to new drivers.

Yes. In regards to temperatures, we will consider delaying or canceling school for the day if the local temperatures are lower than -10 to -15 (Fahrenheit) degrees with the wind chill included. Please understand there are many sources reporting on temperatures and wind chills. We continually monitor a number of these sources to best determine the current conditions as well as what the conditions are likely to be throughout the day.

It is important that parents have a plan in place in the event of a school delay or cancellation, or an emergency closing after children have arrived at school. Your children will adjust to the immediate situation better if you have reviewed your family’s plans ahead of time. To ensure that you receive the latest information, parents should confirm that their contact information in PowerSchool is current so that they receive messages from the district.

When school is delayed or canceled, the district uses a variety of communication methods to inform students, parents and staff members as quickly as possible. A phone message is sent out using Olentangy’s mass notification system. The district also immediately notifies local radio and television stations and places a message on the district’s website. Messages are also sent out over the district e-News emails, the district mobile app (Olentangy Local SD), the district Twitter feed (@OlentangySD), Instagram account (@olentangylocalschools) and the district's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/olentangyschools).

Prior to the beginning of the school day, we have no one assigned to supervisory duty and cannot be held responsible for your child. Please make alternate arrangements.

The YMCA runs before-school childcare programs at all of Olentangy’s elementary schools. In the event of a delay, YMCA staff members will be available at the elementary schools from 7 a.m. until the time classes begin. Please note, this option is only available to children who are already enrolled in the before-school program. In the event of a closure, the YMCA before-school program will not be available. Please contact the YMCA to learn more about these childcare programs.

Two-hour delays do not affect dismissal times.  During a delay students are offered normal lunch service, although the timing of their lunch periods may be altered slightly.

On days when there is a delay to the start of the school day, that day’s morning preschool classes are cancelled. Extended preschool will be picked up two hours late; afternoon preschool will be picked up on time. Please note, however, that a separate notice will not appear on local TV and radio stations for preschool due to limitations in the way their systems code the delay and cancellation information they receive.

If school is cancelled for the day, non-public bus service will not be provided. In the event of a delay, non-public bus service will also be delayed by two hours. In the event of a delay, morning vocational school classes and bus service will also be delayed by two hours.

School activities such as student performances, committee meetings and all middle school athletic events and practices will be canceled. However, parent-teacher conferences will be held as scheduled unless your school advises otherwise. 

In accordance with the practice of the majority of Ohio Capital Conference schools, varsity and junior varsity level athletic activities may still take place later that evening, weather permitting. The decision to cancel varsity and junior varsity contests and practices will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the school closing.

District offices will be open. District administrators, school principals and Central Office staff will report to work when conditions are safe for them to do so. School buildings will not be open.