Preparing for Winter School Schedules

Hello, BCS Families! Winter weather can rapidly change in our area. Here is helpful information to know how snow, ice, and bitterly cold temperatures could impact school schedules.

TYPES OF SCHEDULE CHANGES
If a severe weather event prevents our school buildings from opening, and causes widespread power and internet outages, it will be a "no school" day. No instruction will occur.

For significant but less severe weather events, we are once again able to use a certain number of remote learning days that will count toward our state-mandated instructional time. This means we will not have to make up those days later in the school year. When a day is designated as a remote learning day, teachers will post instructions and assignments in their learning management systems by 10am. Students should be able to access these materials on their school devices, and work at their own pace. They should complete the assignments within five days to be counted present. If you have questions or concerns about remote learning days, please reach out to your student's teacher or principal to discuss a remote learning plan that works for your family.

On remote learning days, BCS families are welcome to have lunch from 12-1pm at any of the following schools: A.C. Reynolds Middle School, Black Mountain Primary, Emma Elementary, Estes Elementary, Leicester Elementary, North Windy Ridge Intermediate, and Sand Hill-Venable Elementary. Meals are free for students, as always. Adult meals are $4.75. 

Minor winter weather events may require a delay schedule, most often postponing the start of school, including bus routes, by two hours. Some bus routes may not run due to icy roads. Schools will communicate specific information for impacted families. Breakfast and lunch will still be provided to students on these days.

Occasionally, worsening weather conditions during a school day require early dismissal. Students will be served lunch before leaving. BCS will communicate with families when they can begin picking up students or expect them on busses. We’ll also include information for after-school activities and athletics. If a parent is delayed in picking up their child from school, the child will be safe and supervised until the parent arrives.

There are times when conditions are worse in a particular area of Buncombe County, and a schedule change will only apply to one district. However, please be aware that it is a school system policy that if weather impacts at least two districts, the schedule change will be applied to all BCS Schools. Learn more about assigned districts within Buncombe County Schools. This information is also located next to each school in our school directory.

WAYS TO FIND OUT ABOUT SCHEDULE CHANGES
The Buncombe County Schools system communicates schedule changes in several ways to serve our families. 

The fastest way to receive weather and emergency notifications is by downloading the BCS app. Once you install the free download, simply turn on push notifications.

If you are signed up through the PowerSchool Parent Portal, you'll also receive emails, as well as voice calls and texts to the phone numbers you used when you registered. You should verify with your school each year that your email addresses and phone numbers are up to date.

Schedule updates are also posted on all school websites, as well as buncombeschools.org, and BCS Facebook and BCS Instagram feeds.

If you don’t have internet access, you may call our weather hotlines for updates: 828-255-5939 (English) or 828-255-5948 (Spanish).

If you have any questions about winter weather schedules, please reach out to your student's teacher or principal. Thanks for your continued strength, resilience, and support. #TogetherWeRise