Alert Notifications

Durango School District (DSD) uses an alert notification broadcast system in the event of Snow Days or Snow Delays, school emergencies, or other critical school communications. Currently, the system notifies parents/guardians and key personnel through phone calls, text messages, and emails.

If you wish to receive alert notifications, please be sure to provide your email(s) and/or cell phone numbers (and indicate the number is a cell phone) to your school when registering or by updating your information in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

On Snow Days and other major events that involve a school closure or delayed opening — but not during short-term emergencies — we will also provide alert notifications via the following channels:

• District Information Line: You can reach the information line directly at 970-375-3811.

• District Website: Information will be posted as a news story and pop-up on the DSD home page at durangoschools.org.

• Social Media: Information will be posted on the district's Facebook page. 

• Local Radio and TV Stations: Information will be provided to local radio and TV stations. (Please note: While we aim to provide local stations with the information by 5:30 a.m., we cannot control whether or when they publish it.)

If the incident does not affect drop-off or pickup and is not a critical emergency, the school district may instead opt to send a “Parent Letter” to keep parents informed of any exceptional circumstances. These letters go home with students the day of the incident, explaining the occurrence in detail. 

Early dismissal

If a weather-related or other emergency occurs during the school day, an early dismissal for students may occur. The school dismissal time will be a set amount of time, such as 30 minutes or one, two, or three hours before the regularly scheduled dismissal. Information will be sent to you through our alert notification system.

Adverse weather

Southwest Colorado weather can be fickle with temperatures suddenly dropping by 30 degrees or more with a change in the forecast. That’s particularly true in wintertime, when a sunny, comfortable morning with temperatures in the 30s can turn overcast with blowing snow and wind-chill factors in the single digits by afternoon.

Because the district’s schools are located in geographically and meteorologically diverse regions of La Plata County, each school principal will determine if weather conditions warrant moving outdoor activities inside the building. Generally, modifying outdoor activities will be considered when the temperature drops below 20°F. However, temperature isn’t the only factor that will be considered; other considerations will include:

• Time outdoors

• Level of activity

• Sunshine

• Humidity

• Wind speed and wind chill factors

• Rapidly changing weather conditions

• Rain, hail, snow

• Presence of lightning or tornadoes

Parents should ensure their children are prepared for outdoor activities in Colorado weather, particularly in the winter months, when students should wear coats, hats, and gloves to school, regardless of the forecast. Schools remain among the safest locations for children, and therefore, emergency school closings are considered rarely and only when the health and safety of district students are at risk.

After-school clubs, activities, and care

Kids’ Camp will not operate when schools are closed due to inclement weather or during emergencies. All clubs and student activities may be canceled when schools are closed from weather or emergencies; parents will be notified accordingly.

Questions?

For questions, comments, or concerns about our alert notification system, please email us.

Didn't receive the emergency text, voicemail, or email?