Fort Wayne Community Schools Weather Emergency

FWCS Transportation staff travel roads at 4 a.m. to review weather and road conditions. Information is also received from neighboring school districts, the Indiana State Police, Allen County Highway Department, Fort Wayne Street Department and the National Weather Service.

News media are contacted as early as possible, usually by 5:30 a.m. For updates, follow FWCS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram ; tune in to radio or television newscasts; check the FWCS website. The FWCS Spanish Closing/Delay Hotline number is 260.467.1985. To receive text messages regarding school delays and cancellations, text YES to 67587.

Transportation Flood Plan

How FWCS Makes Weather Decisions

Weather Emergency Procedure

To receive text messages regarding school delays and cancellations, text YES to 67587. If your number is connected to an enrolled student, you will receive a confirmation. If  you do not receive a confirmation, please contact your child’s school to add your cell phone number.

Please Note: Students are given an excused absence if parents decide the weather conditions are unsafe in their area for their children to attend school. The final decision about your child’s safety is yours.

Emergency Information Definitions

  • TWO-HOUR DELAY:

    All elementary, middle and high schools start two hours later than their normal start time. All FWCS buses will run two hours later. Parents should add two hours to the normal expected arrival time of the bus to determine pick-up time. Morning pre-K students in Title I programs will attend from 10:20-11:55 a.m., arriving at school with grades K-5. Bunche 3-year-old pre-K students attend 10:10-11:45 a.m. Afternoon Title I pre-K students who take the bus will get on the bus one hour later, attending school from 1:20-2:55 p.m. Morning classes at the FWCS Career Academy at Anthis will be held from 11:20 a.m.-1:20 p.m.; afternoon classes will be held from 1:50-3:30 p.m.
    Be aware: A two-hour delay is called to give us time to assess weather and road conditions. It could become a school closing.

  • SCHOOL CLOSING/eLEARNING DAY:

    If weather is severe enough that students cannot safely be transported to school, a closure/eLearning day will be called. Students will not attend in person but will be expected to complete assignments online. Please see the eLearning expectations. Teachers are not expected to report to their buildings but must post assignments online and offer office hours. Elementary and middle school after-school and evening activities are canceled. Each high school will make determinations on canceling their activities.

  • EARLY DISMISSAL:

    It rarely happens, but if it does, media will be notified no later than 12:30 p.m.
  • BUS DELAYS
    Call transportation with questions at 467-1900. For bus status updates, visit the School/Bus Status page. Here you will find a complete listing by school of which buses are running 15 minutes or more behind schedule. You will need to know the number of the bus your child is riding.

Indiana winters are unpredictable. Have a plan for your child’s care in case of a school delay or a delay that becomes a school closing.

In sub-zero temperatures, dress your child warmly. In bad weather, buses may run late. Keep an eye on your child in extremely cold weather to prevent frostbite.