Inclement Weather Expected in State; PCPS Releases Latest Information

Winter weather is expected across most of Oklahoma later tonight through Thursday. As a precaution, Chromebooks will be sent home with students. If school is held tomorrow, Chromebooks need to come back to school with the student on Wednesday, Feb. 2. Sending Chromebooks home today will allow students to move to distance learning should inclement weather force school closures. The district will announce if it is a Distance Learning Day or a Snow Day, should school be canceled.

If school will be closed for inclement weather or another unforeseen reason, every effort will be made to make an announcement by 6 a.m. the day in question.

If parents have checked all-district notification and there has not been an announcement to close school by 6 a.m., parents should assume that school will be in session, but we will put a notice on our Facebook page and website stating that school is in session for the specific day.

The district will broadcast a message through the district’s mobile app. In addition to app notifications, school closings will be publicized on the front page of our PCPS website (www.pcps.us), Facebook and Twitter pages. It will also be publicized on television stations KFOR, KOCO, KWTV, KOKH, KJRH, KOTV, and KTUL. These radio stations and websites will also be notified: KLOR (99.3 FM), KPNC (100.7 FM), www.poncacitynow.com  (website), NewsOk.com, KQSN (104.7 FM), WBBZ (1230 AM), Ponca Post (website), and Kay County News (Kay News Cow – website). The Ponca City News will also be informed.

“The district gathers all available information in order to make a decision that will keep students, staff and community as safe as possible,” said Kristi Hayes, PCPS Public Information Coordinator.

“When a storm brings or is expected to bring freezing rain, ice or snow, PCPS officials begin around 3:00 a.m. gathering information in order to make a decision about whether schools should be open or closed. Roads are checked by Transportation staff checking out main thoroughfares and neighborhood streets. It’s not just road information and forecasts that are being considered. Temperatures and wind chills to be faced by children waiting for buses or walking to school must also be kept in mind.”