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Late Start Cancellation Procedure

Newport School District Late Start/Cancellation Procedure 

Parents:

With winter comes the inclement weather that may force us to call for a two-hour late start or the cancellation of school.  Please know that these decisions are not made lightly and are always based upon our students being able to travel safely to and from school as well as our ability to sustain a warm and safe environment for your child while they are in our care. Please be assured that when these decisions are made the District consults with other entities that may include: Durham School Services; Pend Oreille County; the City of Newport; Pend Oreille Utility District; Pend Oreille County Department of Emergency Management; and the Pend Oreille County Sheriff's Office.  

In the event that we do have to call for a two-hour late start or school cancellation, we will notify you via Blackboard Connect. You will receive a text message, phone message, and/or an email.  When the Blackboard Connect message is sent, our local news stations (KHQ, KREM, and KXLY) are also notified and will display this information, as well as our district home page. Please ensure that you have updated your personal information (phone numbers and email addresses) with your child’s school so that you will receive all district Blackboard Connect notifications. 

  • Stratton Elementary School 447-0656
  • Sadie Halstead Middle School 447-2426
  • Newport High School 447-2481 

For families with children riding the bus to and from school: the transportation department has created “Limited Snow Routes” for the occasion that the County is able to clear ONLY the main roads and NOT side roads. You will be notified when buses are only running on limited snow routes via Blackboard Connect.  Please call Durham School Services at 447-0505 if you are unsure where your snow route stop is located (Please note that the Limited Snow Routes are also listed on the Newport School District website, under “Quick Links” then “Bus/Snow Routes”). 

We understand that arrangements need to be made by families if the school district is forced to start late or cancel.  We will make every effort to make these calls as early as we can when we know that hazardous conditions will persist throughout the night and into the next day.