Please note: On the days that the temperature is below 20 degrees, students will be able to enter the building 10 minutes earlier at 7:30.
Severe Weather Policies:
There may be occasions when attending school due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances may not be advisable. Student safety and learning is always the top priority for Bennington Public Schools. The District will either cancel school for the day or announce a two-hour late start.
School closings will be announced using the following media sources listed below:
District Notification: School Messenger (Phone, Email, Text Message)
Television: KMTV 3, WOWT 6, KETV 7
Radio: KFAB (AM 1110), KKAR (AM1290)
Social Media: Facebook - Bennington Public Schools Facebook, Twitter - @aaronplasBPS
When school is closed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances, Bennington Public Schools will make efforts to make up these educational opportunities. The District has embedded days into the school calendar for such occasions. Students will NOT make-up the first two snow days. If there are more than two snow days, students will make up the third, fourth, and fifth snow days on May 27, May 28 and May 29. BPS is hoping to end school as scheduled but we are restricted by state mandates on the number of instructional hours we must provide to our students. Any changes to the school calendar will be communicated early and often!
Will the All-Star Kids program be affected by snow days?
All-Star Kids program will be closed when school is closed for a snow day.
Will students be required to attend extracurricular activities on snow days?
Decisions about high school extra-curricular activities will be made and announced through School Messenger. There are times that a storm may move through early in the day and practice or competition may be held in the afternoon or evening. There are also times that storms hit some communities harder than others, so the administration is in communication with other districts to determine if a competition will be held or not. Decisions are always based on the safety of Bennington's staff and students.
Will Bennington School facilities be open to the community for youth sports practices on snow days?
School facilities are closed to youth sports when school is not in session. Only emergency staff report to school buildings on snow days to make sure students and staff are safe during poor weather conditions.
What if I don’t agree with the decision to have school when it is snowing, cold, or icy?
Making decisions regarding snow days is never fun or easy. These tough decisions will inevitably make some upset because they think we should be called off while others can’t believe how ‘soft’ schools have become with their decisions. We promise to do the best we can with the information and resources we have at the time. Please remember, you can keep your child(ren) home on days that we have school but you think we shouldn’t.
Will Bennington Public Schools call “cold days” when the temperatures are well below freezing?
The Omaha metro has a very unique set-up with so many schools in such a small area. This can create a comparison and judgment between districts, and how they are handling inclement weather including both snow/ice and extremely cold conditions. But each district does not have the same set of variables including buses that can be plugged in at night, walking distance for students, and the ability to have late starts. With that said, please know it is possible for each district to have a different response on both snow days and ‘cold days’. Again, if you think we shouldn’t have school on a ‘cold day’ where other districts have shut down, please feel free to keep your child(ren) at home.
Late start days will begin exactly two hours later than the normal school start time. When weather permits for a later start, the streets, sidewalks and parking lots can be better cleared and rush hour traffic can be completed. Late start days will be announced in the same manner as school closings.
Why would we having a late start day?
In the event of inclement weather, the District may delay the start of the school day by two hours. By starting two hours later, this allows for streets, sidewalks and parking lots to be cleared and for rush hour traffic to be complete.
What is the school scheduling time for students on a late start day?
Elementary - 10:05 AM to 3:07 PM
Middle School - 10:00 AM to 3:10 PM
High School - 10:10 AM to 3:17 PM
Will transportation be provided on a late start day?
Yes, transportation will be provided and stop times will be modified and will be running approximately two hours later to get students to school for the two-hour late start.
Will the District provide supervision if I drop off my child(ren) at school early on a late start day?
No, staff is not on duty and students are not permitted to enter the buildings before a designated time. Remember, the District will announce a late start to allow authorities and school personnel time to clear roads, sidewalks and parking lots for safe travel.
Will students be required to attend extracurricular activities on late start days?
Before school and/or morning extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, and groups) will be canceled on late start days. After school activities will proceed as scheduled.
Will preschool students attend on late start days?
There will be no morning preschool on a late start day. Afternoon preschool will be scheduled as normal with normal transportation.
Will the All-Star Kids program be affected by late start days?
Yes, for students enrolled in the All-Star Kids program that have an enrollment category that includes morning care. The hours of operation will be 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM at all locations. Breakfast will be served around 9:45 AM.
Will there be breakfast and lunch on late start days?
Yes to both. A grab & go breakfast will be offered. Lunch will run at the similarly scheduled time. Check your building's website for the exact times.
Will students have to make up instructional time lost on a late start day?
No, Bennington Public Schools builds extra hours into the school calendar every year. Late starts will not significantly affect the District’s ability to schedule school days to meet the Nebraska Department of Education’s requirements.
