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Dickinson Public Schools works closely with the U.S. Weather Service, local government officials, and neighboring school districts to make informed decisions about inclement weather and other emergencies, prioritizing the safety of our students, staff, and parents.
Decision-Making Process
The decision to hold or cancel school due to inclement weather is based on the safety of students and the best information available at the time. Parents always have the option to pick up their children early or keep them home if they feel the weather conditions threaten their child’s safety.
When assessing whether it is safe for children to attend school, the district considers the following factors:
- Visibility and current/expected wind conditions
- Road conditions (current and anticipated) for buses, families, and staff, as well as the status of city and county road crews
- Travel advisories issued by city, county, and state authorities (North Dakota Department of Transportation-ND DOT)
- ND DOT maps do not always reflect the road conditions within Dickinson city limits
- Timing and amount of precipitation, both current and forecasted
- Expected duration of the storm
- Alerts from the U.S. National Weather Service
- Temperature and wind-chill
Timely Communication
The decision to close schools will be made and communicated promptly. We understand that school closures significantly impact families and the community, so we strive to give parents adequate time to arrange for child supervision. However, there are times when a decision must be made on the morning of a school day, depending on weather developments overnight. In such cases, our goal is to communicate the decision by 6:00 a.m. on the day of school.
How We Notify Parents
All announcements regarding Dickinson Public Schools closures or delays will be shared through:
- Automated phone, email, and text alerts (based on contact information provided to school offices)
- Local television stations
- The district website and social media pages (Facebook and Instagram)
Parents are encouraged to ensure their contact information is current in PowerSchool or by contacting their child’s school office. Keeping this information updated ensures timely communication.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work together to prioritize safety in all weather conditions.
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Who Is Watching The Weather?
The superintendent and many other school administrators carefully watch weather conditions.
What Factors Are Considered When Making Weather-Related Decisions?
The decision to hold or cancel school due to inclement weather is based on the safety of students and the best information available at the time. Parents always have the option to pick up their children early or keep them home if they feel the weather conditions threaten their child’s safety.
When assessing whether it is safe for children to attend school, the district considers the following factors:
- Visibility and current/expected wind conditions
- Road conditions (current and anticipated) for buses, families, and staff, as well as the status of city and county road crews
- Travel advisories issued by city, county, and state authorities (North Dakota Department of Transportation)
- ND DOT maps do not always reflect the road conditions within Dickinson city limits
- Timing and amount of precipitation, both current and forecasted
- Expected duration of the storm
- Alerts from the U.S. National Weather Service
- Temperature and wind-chill
Where Does the District Get Its Information?
The superintendent makes every effort to remain completely informed, using contact with the National Weather Service, personal observation, telephone contact with individuals living in the rural areas of the district, law enforcement agencies, and city/county/state road maintenance personnel.
Who Makes The Decision To Close Schools?
The superintendent of DPS makes the decision based on the above factors and input from others.
How Is The Public Notified?
All storm announcements relating to Dickinson Public Schools will be reported to local television stations; communicated to parents and guardians by the automated messaging system (phone and/or email and text system); and posted to the school district's website (www.dickinson.k12.nd.us/). Please check more than one source, as on occasion, we are unable to make contact with all media sources due to their capacity to handle all incoming calls, or we may not have an accurate telephone number or email address for a family in the PowerSchool system.