Inclement Weather
Bainbridge Island School District · Weather HUB
Inclement Weather
This page is our central hub for winter weather updates. During a delay or closure, check here for the latest on schedules, transportation, after-school activities, athletics and campus operations.
Current information
Normal schedule
Date & time: Not available
Update: Not available
Good to know
Safety First
How Decisions Are Made
BISD prioritizes safety when deciding on weather-related delays or closures. Every decision starts with one question: can everyone get to school, and back home, safely?
Road checks
Officials assess island roads, including main routes, side streets and hills, starting at 3:00 a.m.
Off-island conditions
About half of our staff commute from off-island, so Kitsap County weather is factored in to prevent critical staffing shortages.
Campus & transit safety
Officials evaluate school walkways, parking lots, bus stops and incoming forecasts.
Notification & Communication
How You'll Hear From Us
Timing
5:30 a.m.
Our goal for announcing schedule changes. Conditions can occasionally delay a decision.
ParentSquare
Primary alert channel
Registered parents and staff get alerts by their chosen method, with automated backup calls.
Website & social media
Posted everywhere
Updates appear on this page, school homepages and official BISD social media accounts.
Community members
Subscribe to alerts
Residents not affiliated with a school can subscribe using the BISD alert form online.
Key rule
If no announcement is posted, schools are running on a normal schedule.
Late Starts & Early Releases
Quick Schedule Example
Add or subtract hours from your student's regular times. Examples use a 7:50 a.m. start time.
2-hour late start
3-hour late start
2-hour early release
On emergency and snow routes, check the Emergency/Snow Bus Routes & Stops page and adjust times for any late start or early release.
FAQ
Common Questions
What does BISD consider when calling a snow (or ice) day?
Snow on Bainbridge is beautiful and complicated. Our hills and microclimates mean one bus can face icy switchbacks while another drives under blue skies. Before calling a snow or ice day, our team considers:
Staff safety: Can teachers and support staff, many commuting from off-island, make it in safely?
Transportation: Can buses safely navigate steep, icy hills starting at 6:25 a.m.?
Facilities: Can maintenance crews clear and de-ice pathways before students arrive?
We weigh all of that, and sometimes we still wish for a crystal ball. Thank you for your patience as we work to keep everyone safe, warm and informed.
When are decisions made about delays or closures?
Transportation crews check road conditions around 3:30 a.m., and our goal is to begin communicating by 5:30 a.m. Sometimes Mother Nature has other plans and unknown conditions delay us. Please know we are working hard to make a decision and share it with you.
What time does school start on a two- or three-hour late start?
Add two or three hours to your student's regular start time. If school usually begins at 7:50 a.m., a two-hour late start begins at 9:50 a.m. and a three-hour late start at 10:50 a.m.
Please note: dismissal times stay the same. They are not pushed later.
When do buses pick up students during a late start?
Add two or three hours to your student's regular morning pickup time.
What time does school dismiss on a two-hour early release?
Subtract two hours from your student's regular dismissal time.
When do buses drop off students on a two-hour early release?
Subtract two hours from your student's regular stop time.
What if buses are running on emergency and snow routes?
Visit the Transportation Department Emergency/Snow Bus Routes & Stops page. Remember to adjust the times if we are on a late start or early release.
Why can't we switch to online learning when schools close?
The short answer: equity and intentional design. In our recent community survey, families told us overwhelmingly that they want students to spend less time on screens.
Nearly half of our students don't have take-home devices, and BISD has made a deliberate choice to keep our youngest learners off screens for homework until sixth grade. That supports healthy development, family connection and balanced learning, but it also means we can't instantly pivot to remote instruction when the island turns white or icy.
So when you see that Snow Day Alert, know it's part of our commitment to balance, even if it means one more day of hot cocoa and sledding instead of Zoom.
What can cause a no-school day?
Snow: if buses can't safely make their routes and staff can't travel to school, we have to call no school.
Ice: ice can turn our island hills into skating rinks. If roads or sidewalks are unsafe, we'll delay or close.
No power: if PSE doesn't expect power back for the entire school day, that campus (not necessarily the whole district) will close.
These calls are never easy and never taken lightly. They usually involve early alarms, cold coffee and a lot of weather maps.
What happens if a big storm hits during the school day?
Our top priority is keeping students and staff safe while getting everyone home as conditions allow. Sometimes we end the day early so buses can finish their routes safely and staff can travel home before conditions worsen.
We know getting back to school for pickup can be hard on an island where roads, ferries and hills all pose challenges. Staff will always be on hand to care for any students whose families can't get there right away. We'll make sure every last student gets home safely.
What happens if the power goes out during the school day?
We do not send students home if the power goes out. Each school has a plan to operate safely, with backup generators or battery systems that power emergency systems, alarms and main hallways.
It may get a little dim or chilly for a while, but our teams are prepared and stay in close contact with PSE until power is restored.
Questions?
Notification Questions
For questions about weather notifications, contact Bridget Lockett at 206-780-1081.
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