Some school districts may have specific weather policies that outline when schools will close or when students will be sent home early. These policies often consider a combination of temperature and other weather conditions. For example, a school district may have a policy that schools will be closed if the temperature drops below a certain threshold (e.g., -20 degrees Fahrenheit) or if there is a significant amount of snowfall (e.g., 6 inches or more).
In the absence of specific district policies, schools typically use their judgment to assess whether the weather conditions are safe for students to remain in school. Factors that may be considered include the ability to maintain a safe and comfortable indoor environment for students, the ability of buses or other transportation to operate safely, and the potential for outdoor activities to pose risks to students' health and safety.
It's important to note that weather conditions can vary significantly from location to location, and what may be considered safe in one area may not be safe in another. Therefore, the decision to send children home from school due to weather is typically made at the local level by school administrators, in consultation with local authorities and transportation providers.