Inclement Weather Communications

The safety of HPISD students and staff is always the district’s top priority when making decisions regarding inclement weather, delayed starts, or school closures.

When severe weather is possible, district administrators closely monitor road conditions both in the Park Cities and across the Metroplex for faculty and staff traveling to campuses. More than 90 percent of HPISD employees live outside district boundaries and commute using major highways, bridges, and overpasses that can become hazardous during winter weather.

The district also evaluates weather forecasts throughout the day to ensure students and staff can safely travel to and from school. If dangerous weather is expected during school hours or road conditions are not expected to improve, those factors are carefully considered in the decision-making process.

In addition, district maintenance and operations teams inspect campuses and facilities to ensure buildings are operating safely. This includes checking heating systems, monitoring for burst pipes, and assessing sidewalks, parking lots, and the HPHS parking garage for icy or unsafe conditions.

Whenever possible, decisions regarding school closures, delayed starts, or schedule changes are made by 6 a.m. Families and staff will be notified through the following communication channels:

• HPISD email notifications
• Emergency text message alerts through SchoolMessenger
• Announcements on hpisd.org 
• HPISD social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X

Local television and radio stations may also be notified and may share information at their discretion.

If severe weather develops during the school day, parents always have the option to check students out early.