Emergency School Closures and Delays

Embedded below is the current information from the emergency message site, flashalert.net . You can also visit the flashalert.net website here.

In the event of bad weather, district officials will make the decision whether or not to close or delay schools as early as possible.

First information is sent to the Emergency Messages website linked above, then specific news media listed below are notified of the closures and delays. If no announcement is made it’s safe to assume that the district is operating as usual.

Messages will also be posted to SKPS’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.

ParentSquare Notifications

If schools are closed or start times delayed, all families and staff will be notified through the ParentSquare communication tool. Notification may be sent as a phone message, text message, email and/or push notification for app users.

Please make sure your contact information is up to date.

• Families can update contact information through ParentVUE or by contacting their school.
• Staff should go on the Employee Self Services website and update their information.

ParentSquare App

Salem-Keizer Public Schools is now using the ParentSquare platform for district, school and teacher communications, primarily with email, text and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically generates an account for each parent/guardian, using their preferred email address and phone number.

Download the app or log into the ParentSquare web portal using the contact email used for your child’s school.
Download ParentSquare App – App Store
Download ParentSquare App – Google Play

The media will mention the district only if there is a delay or closure. If you do not hear any information, it’s safe to assume district schools are open or have resumed their regular schedule.

When Schools Open 2 Hours Late 

• Morning buses will run two hours later than normal.
• District morning preschools will be cancelled.
• District afternoon preschools, unless specifically closed, will be on normal schedule.
• Head Start AM preschools will be cancelled, but afternoon preschool will be open.

Early Dismissal Due to Bad Weather

Each school has an emergency plan in case of early dismissal due to inclement weather. Contact your child’s school for more information regarding their emergency plan.

As a member of Salem-Keizer staff, if you are unsure if you should report to work during inclement weather or other emergency, please refer to HUM-A002.

Late Start | Licensed Staff

When school is delayed district-wide due to inclement weather, licensed staff’s reporting time is delayed by the same amount of time as it is for the students. For example if the start of the school day is delayed by 2 hours, then licensed staff reporting time is delayed 2 hours from their normal reporting time.

Late Start | Classified Staff

Classified staff reporting time is also delayed by the same amount of time as the students, except for the following: 12-month employees and those who are designated as essential staff (i.e., office managers, custodial, and maintenance, and transportation – mechanics and support staff) are to begin at their normal start time or as soon as it is safe.