Emergency Information - Closures, Delays, Early Dismissals

snowy road


School closure, delay and early dismissal due to weather, road conditions and power outages are always a possibility in North Kitsap.

Road conditions may vary in different parts of our district so parents and guardians should always use their own discretion in determining whether to send children to school or pick them up early if they feel conditions in their particular area are not safe.

Because student safety is our number one priority and many of our parents/guardians are not able to return home from work to meet their children, our district will only dismiss students early from school in extreme situations. Parents should have a back-up plan if this happens. In the event of worsening weather conditions, the district may decide to release and transport secondary students (grades 6-12) early so that buses are ready to pick up elementary students at the scheduled time. 

Making the Decision to Close or Delay School

When inclement weather is predicted, several factors determine when schools will be closed or delayed.

We rely on local meteorologist expertise and closely watch weather predictions and possible changes in conditions throughout the day. This includes subscribing to twice-daily weather updates specifically for North Kitsap from November through March.

The district has designated personnel that drive sectors of the district in the very early morning hours to determine if major roads are passable and whether snow routes will be in effect.  The director of Transportation and Transportation supervisor are just two of the people that drive the district.

Additionally, the superintendent coordinates with neighboring districts regarding the decision to delay or close schools due to inclement weather.

With 110 square miles of land and several micro-climates within the NKSD boundaries, it is possible that some small areas may be experiencing hazardous road conditions for a short period of time, while the majority of the district is not experiencing any hazardous road conditions. 

Types of Closures or Delays


School Closure - If school is closed, all out-of-district transportation, meetings, field trips, after-school activities, practices will be canceled for the day unless otherwise announced. All evening meetings/functions scheduled to take place in district facilities will also be canceled.

Two-Hour Delay - If there is a two-hour delayed start, the following schedule changes will apply: 
  • Buses will run 2 hours late
  • No Morning Preschool
  • No Breakfast Program
  • No Out-of-District Transportation
  • No Before School Activities
  • No Secondary Zero-Hour Classes

Early Release - In extreme conditions, school may be closed after the district has announced a two-hour delay due to further deterioration of the weather or students may be released early. Parents should have a back-up plan if this happens. The district may decide to release and transport secondary students (grades 6-12) early so that buses are ready to pick up elementary students at the scheduled time.

Closure, Delay, Dismissal Communication

If school is not closed or delayed for the day, no announcements will be made via email, phone call, text or website.  Students and staff should report to schools at the normal time.  The district does not send out official notification that school is in session, however, we may post a friendly reminder to our social media pages.

In the event of school closure, delay or dismissal

  • Phone Alert - Parents will receive an automated phone call to their designated primary phone number in the event of school closure, delay, or early dismissal.  Calls are initiated by 5:45am when possible.  
  • Website - School closure and delay information may be found via an alert on www.nkschools.org. Alerts are posted by 5:45am when possible.
  • Email - All Parents/Guardians with an email in Skyward will receive an email from the district via SchoolMessenger, our email notification system.  If you do not have your email listed with your student in Skyward, please contact your school to have it added. Emails are initiated by 5:45am when possible.
  • Text Alerts - Sign up for text alerts from North Kitsap School District by texting the word YES or Y to 67587. These messages will come from SchoolMessenger and are initiated by 5:45am when possible.  MAKE SURE YOUR CELL PHONE IS LISTED IN SKYWARD FAMILY ACCESS TO RECEIVE TEXTS.  Need to add your cell phone to your student's information?  Check out the Text Messaging Service page.
  • Facebook - Inclement weather notifications will be posted on the NKSD Facebook page and Twitter (@nksdnews). Notification on social media will post  by 5:45am when possible.
  • Media - Radio stations such as KITZ 1400 AM, KIRO 710 AM, KRPM 1090, KOMO 1000 AM, KPLU 88.5, KUOW 94.5, KJR 95.7, and KLSY 92.5 and local television stations KOMO TV 4, KING TV 5, KIRO TV 7, and KCPQ TV 13 will be announcing schedule changes by district name after 6 a.m.Schools will be operating on normal schedules if no announcement is made.
  • Flash Alert - FlashAlert is how school districts, fire agencies, and police provide emergency information to news outlets.  Sign up for FlashAlert and get notified instantly!
  • Emergency Information Line - You may call (360) 396-3993 for the latest information on closures and delays. 

Parents are encouraged not to call school or district offices since there are no employees answering the phones late in the evening or early in the morning. Know that we will activate all the modes of communication above when we know the status of the schools.


Alternate bus stops may be used during inclement weather. When snow routes are activated, official notification will be sent out with a link to Snow Routes.  Snow Routes are posted by November 1 each year on the Snow Routes page of the Transportation Department website.  

Transportation Services will send out a phone alert only a few bus stop have been changed.

You may reach Transportation Services at (360) 396-3099 for questions regarding alternate bus stops or delays in service.

Sign up for Here Comes The Bus to track your student's bus and receive updates on bus substitutions and if your student's bus is running late!

Picking up or sending your child home early


If you would like your child to come home early because they walk or drive home on their own, you may either call the school office to give permission or your child may call you from the school office. 

Storm Preparation

For information on Kitsap County winter storm preparation and shelter information, click here.