Winter Weather Procedures: What you need to know as temps drop

With cold, wintry weather right around the corner, please take a few minutes to review the district's winter weather procedures.

Our goal, as it has always been, is to get our students to school safely on time. Inclement weather, however, may make that impossible.

The decision to delay or cancel classes is one we take very seriously. We take into account numerous factors including current road and weather conditions, the temperature and windchill, and the forecast. If roads are impassable or conditions are unsafe, we will take all necessary precautions and alter the schedule as needed.

Typically, the decision to delay or cancel classes is made prior to 5:30 a.m. However, there are occasions that changing road/weather conditions will necessitate a later decision.

Any change to our schedule is communicated via the following platforms:

• Automated call and text message system*
• Districtwide email
• NHSD website
• NHSD app
• Main district social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)
• KDKA, WPXI, WTAE on-air and online

*To receive text messages, the number in PowerSchool must be listed as a cell phone. Parents/guardians must also opt-in by texting Y to 67587 from that cell phone. (Standard data and messaging rates may apply. To opt out, text STOP to 67587.) If you received text messages last year, you do not need to opt-in again. Phone number changes can be made in PowerSchool under Forms → Student Contacts → Student Contact Information but must be approved by school staff before the changes take effect. (Please note, the same phone number can be listed for a contact's home and cell phone numbers.)

School Closure/Snow Day

A snow day is called when schools are closed and classes are canceled and the day will have to be made up on a later date. For the 2025-26 school year, we have four weather cancelation "snow days" built into our academic calendar: March 30 (make-up day 1), March 31 (make-up 2), April 1 (make-up day 3) and April 2 (make-up day 4).

Flexible Instructional Day

On a Flexible Instructional Day or FID, all teaching and learning is asynchronous. Teachers post work and assignments on Google Classroom and students complete work independently from home. Students are required to confirm attendance and all work and assignments should be completed on the day of the FID and submitted as instructed by their teacher(s). The day counts as a school day and does not need to be made up later.

NHSD has the option of using up to five Flexible Instructional Days each school year. Teachers review FID procedures with students annually they are prepared for if and when a FID is called. Families should contact their child’s teacher(s) if they need special accommodations or an extenuating circumstance arises.

Students who are absent on a FID will be required to make up missed work as assigned. Complete FID information and expectations as well as a link to the attendance form can be found at www.nhsd.net/FID.

Knowing that winter weather can strike at any time, students in grades K-2 take their district iPad home nightly during the winter months. Please make sure you are charging your child’s iPad and it is coming to school every day fully charged.

NHSD has the option of using up to five Flexible Instructional Days each school year. 

2-Hour Delay

If a delay is called, all schools will be delayed two hours as detailed below:

North Hills High School

• Classes begin at 9:20 a.m. and the delay schedule posted at nhsd.net/hs-sched is followed
• Morning A.W. Beattie classes are canceled; Beattie students should report to school in time for fifth period, which begins at 11:20 a.m. on a delay

North Hills Middle School

• Classes begin at 9:50 a.m. and the delay schedule posted at nhsd.net/ms-sched is followed

Highcliff and West View Elementary Schools

• Classes begin at 10:30 a.m.

McIntyre and Ross Elementary Schools

• Classes begin at 11:15 a.m.

All buses, including non-public and charter school buses, are delayed two hours when there is a delay and there is no morning care in our elementary buildings.

Breakfast is available as detailed below:

North Hills High School
8:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. - Hot breakfast sandwiches, daily cold breakfast options; Coffee Shop open

North Hills Middle School
9:25 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. - Hot breakfast sandwiches, daily cold breakfast options

West View and Highcliff
10:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. - Cold breakfast options only

McIntyre and Ross
11:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. - Cold breakfast options only