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  • School postponement and cancellation alternatives will be as follows:
    • Hold school as normal.
    • Open school but delay sending buses.
    • Delay the start time in all schools by two (2) hours based on each school’s start time
      • Elementary School: Start time is 8:25, so school starts at 10:25. Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.
      • Middle School: Start time is 8:40, so school starts at 10:40. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. No Zero Hour Classes.
      • High School: Start time is 8:00, so school starts at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
      • Head Start: Start time is 8:00, so school starts at 10:00. Doors will open at 9:50 a.m.
      • When school starts late, there will be no morning Early Childhood Special Education classes. Afternoon Early Childhood Special Education classes will be held.
      • Breakfast will not be served at any sites.
      • No before-school activities/athletics.
      • Students will not be marked tardy due to a late start.
    • No school in Grand Forks Public Schools (GFPS) all-day
    • No school for the Grand Forks Air Force Base School District students all-day
      • Decisions about the weather-related delayed opening or closing of air base schools may not always be consistent with those made for in-town schools. On those days when severe weather makes travel conditions so hazardous as to threaten the safety of staff members, opening delays or the closing of base schools will be given special consideration.
    • Hold remote learning.
    • Once school is in session, it will not be terminated until the regular closing time except in very severe situations. However, school buses may leave early.

The decision to close or delay school will be made as early as possible. Announcements will be made on the GFPS webpage (www.gfschools.org), and GFPS social media (www.facebook.com/GrandForksPublicSchools; www.twitter.com/GFSchools). Announcements will also be made on local radio and TV stations.

GFPS will be using our automated calling system to call staff and families if school is delayed or canceled due to severe weather conditions. Typically, this automated call will occur to staff between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., and families between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

Parents/Guardians may always exercise their right to keep students home or pick them up early during stormy conditions.

GFPS has two days (approx. 12 hours of instruction) built into the school calendar for storm-related delays/cancellations. If a full-day cancellation leads to a third storm day during this school year, GFPS will transition to remote learning. More information will be provided by GFPS and your student's school at that time.

If an emergency should develop during the time school is in session, students will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.

  • If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.
  • We will communicate the departure time.
  • The lead time needed for the procedure is approximately one (1) hour.
  • If conditions are dangerous, bus drivers must use common sense in discharging students that must walk a considerable distance. If possible, use the radio and contact the base station. Have parents/guardians meet the bus or be on the lookout for their students. If the driver cannot contact parents/guardians and conditions are dangerous, do not let students off the bus but return to school and notify the principal. Schools that have bus students must have a written procedure for caring for students in the event they must be kept overnight at school.