With winter on its way, the schools are getting ready for the cold weather. Yet regardless of preparation, sometimes the weather still forces them to close.

“Nobody wants to make kids stand out at the bus stops when you stand outside for five minutes and get frostbite,” Pacelli Catholic Schools Principal Laura Marreel said.

Pacelli’s policy is to close based on whether Austin Public Schools closes, because they both use the Palmer Bus Company. Marreel said one of the main reasons the school would close would be because the buses can’t travel safely on the roads.

“If the bus company cannot get out, they can’t get the buses out, then they would call the superintendent and let him know,” Marreel said. “Our first priority is that students and staff are safe, so if they can’t get here then we don’t want them to try.”

Educational Services Director John Alberts said on days the weather looks bad, they are in constant communication with the bus company to ensure the safe travel of students.

“It’s so weather dependent, because weather can occur at any given moment,” Alberts said.

Extreme cold, too much snow and heavy fog are a few major weather conditions that can keep students home.

“Last year we saw very cold wind chills and cold temperatures, obviously snow and ice,” Alberts said. “Anything that could significantly impact the safety of students either getting to school or getting home from school.”

Last year, both Austin and Pacelli had four days off because of bad weather. If the weather looks as though it may clear up, Alberts said the schools might call in for an early delay instead of a full day off. One of the main things considered is whether the snow plows will be able to clear/sand the roads in time for school, or if the sun will help clear fog or melt ice in time for school.

Both schools try to make the call before 6 a.m., so students and staff don’t start to make the trek in if they decide to cancel classes.

“That’s when we all would like to do it, so that people aren’t starting to drive in,” Marreel said.

Marreel added the schools try not to make the call to cancel the night before, because of the unpredictability of the weather.

The districts try to get information about school closings in various ways, including text alerts that parents can sign up for, emails, the morning news, and posting it on Facebook and the school website.

Both Pacelli and Austin schools keep their child care open at 6:30 a.m. on days when school is closed, so parents can still make it to work.