Inclement Weather Information

Weather in Texas can be unpredictable and bring conditions that may impact our community and subsequently bring changes to the instructional day at Rockwall ISD campuses.

As inclement weather is predicated and approaches, the District will follow its Inclement Weather Protocols to determine if an adjustment to the instructional day is necessary to ensure student, staff and community safety.

FAQ

How is the Decision Made? The decision to delay or cancel school due to inclement weather is based on analysis of all available information at the time the critical decision to delay or close schools must be made. 

What are the Factors and Information Considered for Making the Decision? The information and sources considered include:

• Consultations with local emergency management, law enforcement, and weather experts. In addition to monitoring local weather forecasts, we communicate with Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management officials and local law enforcement. 
• Information on road conditions from transportation staff. Rockwall ISD is 127 square miles consisting of varied road conditions, including county roads. The transportation staff serves as the internal experts on area roads and drive different parts of the county to gauge conditions.
• Weather related disruption to facilities. Our maintenance department evaluates any disruption to facilities that might prove hazardous, such as electrical, heat and water services. They also assess parking lots and sidewalks to make sure those areas are passable.
• Current and projected weather conditions. Because bus routes can begin as early as 5:45 a.m., we evaluate current and predicted weather conditions. Reports of accumulated, projected and clearing of road hazards are taken into consideration in the early morning hours. 

When are Parents Notified? In most cases, we try to notify parents about a delay or closure the night before. Because weather conditions change so quickly, there are times that we cannot make a determination until the early morning hours prior to the start of school.

How are Parents Notified? In case of inclement weather, Rockwall ISD will notify families through the phone, mobile app and e-mail options on our Blackboard notification system. To download our mobile app for fast notification, please visit the App Store or Google Play. Use the buttons below to download our app.

     

Please make sure your contact information is up-to-date. To check or update your data, log on to our Family Access system where you check grades and other student data. (If you are not enrolled in Family Access, please check with the front office at your campus for sign-up information.)

In addition to using the Blackboard Notification System, the district will also notify local television and radio stations, post a notice on the district website at rockwallisd.com, as well as, Facebook and Twitter.