Every year it seems snow or severe conditions lead to the closure or late start of our schools, and we want to keep you updated about those decisions.

Communications Protocol
The Olympia School District will inform you of school schedule changes as soon as possible through our phone/email/text messaging system, as well as on our website and social media platforms. We also encourage you to monitor local radio and/or television stations for up-to-date information about weather-related closures or delays.

School Closure
If OSD schools close due to inclement weather, students do not report to class, regardless of whether they attend school in person or through ORLA online. OSD has a “Snow Make-Up Day” built into the calendar on May 24, 2024, to be used as a school day in the event there is a weather-related school cancellation prior to this date. Additional snow days, if needed, will be made up at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

2-hour Late Start

All schools, including ORLA online, start two hours late

• OSD school buses pick up students two hours late
• No zero-hour classes or before-school activities
• No AM preschool
• No AM childcare
• No Avanti High School periods 1-3 Monday-Thursday, and no AM academic support or activities on Friday
• No out-of-district transportation
• No district transportation to New Market Skills Center
• Breakfast and lunch served throughout the district

3-hour Late Start (new late start option for the 2023-24 school year)

• All schools, including ORLA online, start three hours late
• OSD school buses pick up students three hours late
• No zero-hour classes or before-school activities
• No AM or PM preschool (full-day preschool continues)
• No AM childcare
• No Avanti High School periods 1-3 Monday-Thursday, and no AM academic support or activities on Friday
• No out-of-district transportation
• No district transportation to New Market Skills Center
• Breakfast and lunch served throughout the district

Snow Routes
On rare occasions, weather conditions may make it necessary to modify school bus routes. When that occurs, the district and media outlets will announce the use of “snow routes” or “emergency routes.”

• Emergency snow routes (East Side, Griffin Area, West Side)
• No out-of-district transportation
• No district transportation to New Market Skills Center

It is our hope that weather conditions do not disrupt transportation and schools. However, our most critical concern is the safety and welfare of our students.

Sincerely,
Patrick C. Murphy, Ed.D. Superintendent

Please understand there are many factors when deciding to close or delay school. We exercise caution and overall safety for all OSD staff and 9,000+ district students when determining if school should be canceled or delayed. The 80 square miles covered by our district are very diverse geographically, and what one family experiences can be very different from what another family is experiencing on the other side of the district. Staff drive the streets in the early hours of the morning to determine the safety of all routes. We appreciate your understanding and support.

Note: The above 2023-24 Snow Letter may also be found on the OSD website in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.