Weather Closings - The Official Tulsa Public Schools Website

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How TPS Decides and Communicates School Closings

TPS is committed to an exceptional education for every student, every day. In inclement weather conditions, the district staff and leadership team use three guiding principles to decide emergency school closings.

Time spent in the classroom is integral to preparing students for academic success.
Students and staff must be able to get to and from school safely.
Parents and guardians must have adequate time to make arrangements for transportation or childcare.

We announce emergency closing by 5:30 a.m. on closing days.
Board regulation on emergency closings: Regulation 7308‑R: Emergency Closings

Stay Updated on School Closings

TPS uses the following to communicate with families and community members:

SchoolWay: www.tulsaschools.org/app
TPS website: www.tulsaschools.org
Twitter: twitter.com/TulsaSchools
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TulsaPublicSchools
Local television stations, newspaper, radio stations
Recorded message via main TPS switchboard, 918-746-6800

We announce emergency closing by 5:30 a.m. on closing days.

How Decisions are Made

When inclement weather conditions already exist

Transportation field coordinators check road conditions the evening prior to the school day.
By 9:30 p.m. the evening prior to the school day, the district’s emergency manager recommends to the superintendent whether to open schools.
TPS announces closing through the TPS website, TPS app, TPS social media and local news media by 10 p.m.

If inclement weather conditions are expected

Transportation field coordinators check road conditions in the early morning of the school day.
By 4:45 a.m., the district’s emergency manager recommends to the superintendent whether to open schools.
TPS announces closing through the TPS website, TPS app, TPS social media and local news media by 5:30 a.m.

If inclement weather conditions occur during the school day

Parents may pick up their child(ren) early from school. (see Regulation 2117‑R: Student Pickup During the School Day)
To ensure the safety of students and meet the needs of working parents, TPS will not close schools early.
TPS announces cancelation of evening events through the TPS website, TPS app, TPS social media.

Emergency school closings may include the following:

Schools closed and the Education Service Center closed
Schools closed and the Education Service Center open
Schools closed and the Education Service Center open with delayed start
Evening activities canceled. Note that evening activities at any TPS site are canceled on days when schools are closed, even if conditions improve.

Education Service Center and district offices

"Education Service Center" (ESC) refers to all district offices and affects hourly and 12‑month employees with some exceptions.

Unless weather conditions dictate otherwise, the Education Service Center will open on days when schools are closed. All 12‑month employees at district facilities must report to their regularly assigned positions at the announced start time of the ESC or as directed by their supervisor.

Local media will typically NOT announce information about the ESC, visit www.tulsaschools.org for updates.

Other Weather Resources

Information regarding hazardous winter weather, including watches and warnings, is available on the following:

National Weather Service/ Tulsa
NOAA Weather All Hazards Radio
local radio and television stations.

Sign up at www.ok.gov/OEM to receive Oklahoma Emergency Management's weather alerts and receive NWS watches/warnings to your cell phone or email address. See additional winter weather preparedness tips.

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