School Schedule Changes/Inclement Weather
The decision to change the school schedule is taken very seriously, and the decision to cancel school is made with collaborative input from state and local safety officials. In some instances, this decision will be made early in the morning, and notifications will be made by 5 a.m. In other instances, this decision will be made the day before.
Additionally, some emergencies will occur during the school day causing schools to dismiss early and send students home. In the case of early dismissals, school buses will transport students who are bus riders home via established routes. Parents of car-riders and walkers must make arrangements for pick-up upon notification.
Parents will receive notification via ParentSquare, our mass notification system. It is vital that your emergency contact information is kept current to receive emergency phone messages. The District will also use Facebook and Twitter to communicate to parents/students. Information will also be relayed to local media. Please do not call the school or the District Office.
Schedule Change Options
Delay
Sometimes schools will operate on a delay due to inclement weather, low temperature or other conditions.
For example when schools open two hours late, the following will apply:
- Students who ride the bus should report to their bus stops two hours later than usual; Car-riders should report to their schools two hours later than usual.
- Employees who have not been notified otherwise, should report to work two hours later than normal.
- Employees who usually start at 8 a.m. will start at 10 a.m. instead.
If the decision is made to cancel school, the day must be made up later in the school year.
e-Learning
As an approved e-learning district by the SC State Department of Education (SDE), Richland Two has the flexibility to utilize up to 5 e-learning days to allow for the make-up of short-term disruptions to in-person teaching and learning (e.g., inclement weather, utility interruptions, other emergencies that cause a school closure).
Instruction on these days may be synchronous or asynchronous. Schools don't have to make up e-learning days. Schools are allowed five e-learning days per school year.
On a synchronous e-learning day, students will receive instruction virtually on the regular school schedule.
If a full day of synchronous e-learning would most likely be interrupted substantially due to the anticipated power outages, the district may opt for an asynchronous e-learning day. Teachers will share assignments and a district-wide due date with students and families. All work for that day must be turned by the due date for students to be marked present for that day.
Early Dismissal
Sometimes forecasted weather poses a threat to the safe operation of school bus or school activities. In these situations, the district may need to to close schools and send students home early. All school buildings and district facilities will close early and all after-school activities will be canceled.
Under regular circumstances, the times are as follows:
- 11 a.m. elementary
- 11:45 a.m. middle schools
- 12:30 p.m. high schools
However, these times may be adjusted in response to updated weather forecasts.
Cancel and Makeup
Sometimes due to weather or other conditions, the safest option is to cancel school.
SC State Law requires school district calendars to include three make up days.
2024-2025 Make-up Days:
- October 18, 2024
- January 6, 2025
- March 21, 2025