North Idaho fall and winter weather can change rapidly! We do our best to plan for difficult weather and react quickly to be sure our students and staff are safe. This page provides information to help you if bad weather causes school delays or closures. 

Classes may be delayed and/or schools may be closed due to bad weather or other safety issues.  When severe weather or road conditions are the issue, we assess our district neighborhoods and roadways before dawn, taking into account current and immediate weather forecasts. We use this information to decide whether to delay classes or close schools, which we do by 5 a.m., in most cases. Communications will be sent to families and staff as soon as possible once a decision to delay or close is made. We communicate only if we delay or close, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Below is some information about school delays and closures:
 
What does a two-hour school delay mean? 

1. Elementary, Middle, and High School classes start two hours later than usual.

2. High school zero hour classes and before-school activities are canceled.

3. Preschool and morning kindergarten are canceled.

4. Both morning preschool sessions at the Early Learning Center are canceled; the afternoon session continues as scheduled.

5. School PLUS childcare operates at all elementary schools for pre-registered families from 6:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 

6. Morning bus routes run two hours late except the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) morning bus which is canceled. 

7. Afternoon KTEC bus leaves the high schools 10-15 minutes later than usual.

8. Breakfast is available for students when schools open and for School PLUS.

9. After-school programs are held as scheduled, unless indicated otherwise.

Morning Daycare: We realize a delayed start can complicate morning routines, especially for families with younger children requiring supervision. One option families can consider is School PLUS, the District’s in-school child care program. We have made adjustments to the School PLUS program to accommodate additional students in the morning on a delayed-start day. School PLUS will continue to provide morning care for elementary students at all 11 of our elementary schools, beginning at 6:45 a.m. Students must be registered in advance to attend School PLUS. If you wish to register your child to attend School PLUS only in the event of a delayed-start day, please complete this registration form and return to the District Office. The daily rate for using School PLUS on a delayed-start day is $10 per student, payable at the school site with cash or check.

What does a school closure mean? 

1. Classes at all  schools are canceled and all district offices are closed to the public until communicated otherwise.

2. In the event of early release or school closure, all activities and events are canceled and rescheduled if necessary.

3. School PLUS childcare is open to registered families, but only at Ramsey Magnet School at 6:30 a.m.

4. In the rare event area residents are required to stay off the roads, School PLUS will be closed.

5. The district is allowed two emergency school closures per year without scheduling make-up days. After that, we must schedule make-up days. 

How do I find out if classes are delayed or canceled? 

Email - If classes are delayed or canceled, you will receive an email and/or text message from the District with school delay or closure information.  We send information to you via the contact information in your Skyward Family Access account. Please check to be sure your email address(es) and mobile number(s) are current.

Mobile App - If you’ve downloaded the Coeur d’Alene Public Schools mobile app, you will find weather-related announcements under Notifications. You can download the app for Apple devices in the App Store or for Android on Google Play.  

Websites - We post school closures and delayed start announcements on our District and individual school website homepages.

Social Media - Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest information on school delays or closures.

Hotline - Call our Closure Hotline at (208) 667-0784 for school delay or closure information.

News - Spokane TV channels KREM, KXLY, and KHQ report local school delays and closures on their morning programs.