With the arrival of the season’s first major snow, and more in the forecast for the Salt Lake valley, there will be days in the coming weeks when traveling to and from school is challenging for families.

So, please, give yourself extra time to walk and drive to school or arrive at the bus stop safely–and be careful out there. On wet, wintry days, our schools are lenient with tardies, because we want everyone arriving to school safe, sound and ready to learn. Keep in mind that, while some of us would prefer to be hitting the slopes or staying tucked in bed with a good book, “snow days,” or school cancellations are rare in Utah. More often, the District will choose to delay the start of school in order to provide our partner cities with more time to clear sidewalks and streets.

Such decisions are made by Canyons administrators in cooperation with the Transportation Department, which has drivers out surveying the condition of roads as early as 4 a.m. To alert parents about school closures and delays, the District will employ its website, the Skylert emergency-communication system, and Facebook and Twitter (@canyonsdistrict and @CanyonsT). Parents and employees should also listen to Wasatch Front radio and television stations for more information.

Bottom line: No public announcement means schools will be open and operating as usual. Unless extreme weather creates unsound traveling conditions, schools operating under the Canyons District umbrella will remain open on scheduled school days.

Why keep schools open during snowstorms?
About 34,000 students count on us to deliver a quality education in a safe, welcoming environment. Unscheduled school closures disrupt learning and place a burden on parents who work full time and can’t easily be home to supervise their children. Neighborhood schools also are a primary source of breakfast and lunch for many of our students. 

What if I’d prefer to keep my child home? 
While school-closure decisions will be made in the best interest of a school community, the District respects the rights of parents and guardians to decide what’s best for children in their care. 

Bus stops: Parents are asked to meet their children at bus stops when buses are running on delayed or emergency schedules. To stay abreast of bus delays and other transportation-related announcements, follow the CSD Transportation Department’s Twitter account @CanyonsT.

How will I know if school is canceled or delayed?
Canyons District has established the following communications policies in the event of a school closure. The District will employ its website, the Skylert emergency-communication system, and Facebook and Twitter (@canyonsdistrict) to alert parents about school closures. Parents and employees should listen to Wasatch Front radio and television stations for school-closure information.

What we will tell you: The District will communicate one of three messages: 1) Day and date a school is closed; 2) Day and date a school is starting late; 3) and day and date schools will be dismissed.

How we decide: School closures will be announced when authorized by the Canyons Superintendent of Schools or his designee after consulting with senior staff members. The National Weather Service and other state, county and city agencies also may be consulted.

Closures are for one day only: All announcements are for one day only. No announcement means schools will be open and operate as usual.

Emergency plans: Families are encouraged to establish an emergency plan for their children in the event that schools are closed, have a delayed start or dismissed early. Parents are urged to instruct their children where to go or what to do if a parent is not at home.

What if I’d prefer to keep my child home? 
While school-closure decisions will be made in the best interest of a school community, the District respects the rights of parents and guardians to decide what’s best for children in their care. Please remember, however, that school absences can quickly add up and cause students to fall behind.

Make-up days: Days lost because of inclement weather are made up on Presidents Day. The Board of Education reserves the right to make adjustments to the schedule as needed.