In the event of inclement weather, Elizabeth Schools uses a variety of resources to determine if school should be delayed or closed. The district closely monitors ongoing weather reports and reviews road conditions and recommendations from the Colorado Department of Transportation, local and state law enforcement agencies, and has transportation personnel on the road evaluating conditions.

If conditions pose a danger to student and staff safety, the district will announce a decision to close or delay schools by 6 a.m. This information will be communicated in several different ways, including, in order of priority:

1. District and school websites
2. Email and text message (if opted in) to parents
3. Automated phone call
4. Social media (Facebook) 
5. Local television and radio stations

School Closings
Schools will be closed if road conditions are poor throughout the district, visibility is low and there’s the certainty of continued snow. When schools are closed, all scheduled activities (including before/aftercare and preschool) in the school building are canceled and sports events and practices are postponed.

School Delays
Schools may be delayed if roads are snow-packed and driving conditions require caution and slower speeds, even if the main roads are drivable, visibility is OK and snowfall is light or has stopped. A delay gives more time for safe travel to school and also gives more time for roads to be plowed, and there is more daylight and less traffic congestion.

A delay will typically be two hours and will affect all programs and services, including Kids Club, Preschool, and Legacy Academy. A delayed start does not change the regular dismissal times at the end of the day. Buses are included in the two-hour delay. Down-to-the-minute pickup times, say 6:57 a.m. at a given bus stop, should be the same as a normal day, just with the extra two hours tacked on: so students at that stop would be picked up at 8:57 a.m. Please note, however, that if road conditions are less-than-optimal, buses could be a bit delayed, so your patience is appreciated.

Early Dismissal
Elizabeth Schools will rarely dismiss school early. The decision to dismiss school early will be based on the severity of the incident and the impact it will have on the student and school population.

Start Times

For reference, when delayed-openings are announced, they will be two-hour delays on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays; they will be one-hour delays on Thursdays because the district already has a one-hour late start on Thursdays. Regardless of which day the delay occurs, these are the morning start times for schools and programs in Elizabeth School District when there is a weather delay: 

• Elizabeth High School: 9:50 a.m.
• Elizabeth Middle School: 9:55 a.m.
• Running Creek Elementary School: 9:45 a.m.
  
  • Preschool (Full-day): 10 a.m.
  • AM Preschool does not have their session during a late start
• Singing Hills Elementary School: 10:00 a.m.
  
  • Preschool (Full-day): 9:45 a.m.
  • AM Preschool does not have their session during a late start
• Kids Club with EPR (Elizabeth Parks & Rec) – Running Creek & Singing Hills: 8:30 a.m.
• Legacy Academy: 10 a.m.
• Infant and Toddler Childcare:  9:15 a.m.

Times for late-start Thursdays:

• Elizabeth High School: 9:50 a.m.
• Elizabeth Middle School: 9 a.m.
• Running Creek Elementary School: 8:45 a.m.
• Singing Hills Elementary School: 8:35 a.m.
• Kids Club with EPR (Elizabeth Parks & Rec) - Running Creek & Singing Hills: 7:30 a.m.
• Infant and Toddler Childcare:  8:15 a.m.

As always, it’s up to parents/guardians to make the final decision on school attendance if, based on personal circumstances, conditions exist that pose a safety concern for their child getting to or from school. Please remember to call your child’s school for an excused absence.