Inclement weather, or other emergencies, may cause Bristol Public Schools to cancel school, delay school opening, or close schools early. BPS understands the disruptions these decisions may cause families and staff; however, we use information from several sources to make the best decision possible.

Every effort is made to inform our families as early as possible, but due to the unpredictable nature of severe weather events, a decision may be made in the morning. The District makes every attempt to reach a decision by 5:00 a.m.

School closure decisions are made for the entire District, not specific areas, to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the public.

SCHOOL CLOSURE
If the District closes schools due to weather conditions, students will have a traditional snow day. There will be no in-person learning, and state law does not allow remote learning on snow days to count toward the 180-day minimum. No meals will be served. Any such days will be added onto the end of the school calendar.

DELAYED OPENING
If BPS delays the start of school due to weather conditions, the school day will begin two hours later than the school's regular start time, and dismiss at the usual time. Morning buses will run two hours later than normal, AM Pre-K will be cancelled and PM Pre-K will run on a normal bus schedule. School hours for a delayed opening may be viewed in the right-hand column located here: School Time Schedule

EARLY DISMISSAL
Deterioration of weather conditions throughout the day may cause the District to release students prior to regular dismissal time. In these instances, afternoon preschool will be cancelled. School hours for early-dismissal days may be viewed in the middle column at School Time Schedule

COMMUNICATING SCHOOL CLOSURES
IF BPS schools are forced to close, open late, or dismiss early, families will be notified in the following ways:

• ParentSquare: BPS utilizes the ParentSquare mass notification system. ParentSquare allows administrators to notify families by phone, text and/or email.
  • To update your contact information, contact your child's school; or
  • Complete the form: R3-1 Parent/Other Contacts/Legal Guardian Information Update on Powerschool Parent Portal
     
• Websites: The District website and all school websites will be updated with a pop-up alert.
   
• Social Media: Coming Soon! 
   
• Local Media: The following television and radio stations can be checked for school closing information:
  • Fox 61
  • NBC Connecticut
  • News 8
  • WFSB
  • WDRC-FM 102.9
  • WTIC- Radio