Inclement Weather Information
Alma School District closely monitors weather conditions throughout the winter months. When snow, ice, or hazardous conditions could impact travel, we carefully determine whether school will open on time, delay, or close. Student and staff safety is always our top priority.
District officials evaluate roadway conditions, review forecasts, and drive bus routes early in the morning to assess bridges, hills, and other areas that may freeze first. Because conditions can vary throughout our community, decisions are not always easy — however, safety guides every choice.
Typical Decision Timeline:
Most decisions regarding delays or closures are made between 5:30 – 6:00 a.m. If conditions are clear the night before, the district may announce earlier.
How We Communicate School Closures and Delays
When a decision is made, Alma School District shares updates through multiple channels:
Mass text notifications to all families and staff
Phone calls to all families and staff
Email to newsletter subscribers, families, and staff
District website: www.almasd.net
Local News Outlets: 5NEWS, 40/29, KNWA
What a Delay Means
When a delayed start is announced:
Buses run 1 or 2 hours later than normal
Drop-off times shift accordingly
Breakfast availability may be adjusted
Early morning practices, tutoring, and activities are canceled unless otherwise noted
Stay Connected: Don’t Miss Important Updates
To ensure you receive all district communications:
1. Verify Your Contact Information
If you are not receiving text alerts, call your child’s school office to update your phone number.
2. Subscribe to Email Updates
Sign up for the Alma District Newsletter.
3. Follow Alma School District on Social Media
Stay connected on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for timely updates.
4. Check Your Rooms Account
Teachers may share updates about inclement weather schedules. Ensure your account is active and functioning correctly.
Click here for Rooms instructions.
Family Winter Prep Checklist
Ensure your contact information is updated
Have a backup plan for delayed starts or closures
Follow district social media pages
Keep winter clothing ready for bus riders
Check your Rooms account regularly
Inclement Weather Make-Up Days
The Alma School District calendar includes four built-in inclement weather days:
January 5
February 16
March 12
April 17
If these days are used, additional “snow days” will be added to the end of the school year.
To view the complete district calendar, including make-up days, click here.
AMI Days Reminder
Under the Arkansas LEARNS Act, schools can no longer use AMI (Alternative Methods of Instruction) days to count toward required instructional time. All missed days due to weather or emergencies must be made up in person using the inclement weather days built into the calendar.
Alma School District is committed to keeping families informed and prepared. Thank you for your support as we work together to keep every Airedale safe during winter weather.
For detailed inclement weather procedures, visit our Inclement Weather Plan page.