Weather & Safety Information

Stay Informed flyer

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Stay informed: Your BCS Notification Options
We're committed to bringing our community members the information they need, when they need it! In the event that school must be delayed or closed due to severe weather or an emergency situation, we rely on multiple outlets to give our families options. See below for the most current ways to stay informed.

Closing, Delay & Remote Learning Day Information
Adverse weather conditions or other emergencies may require that schools participate in remote learning, be closed, be delayed, or be dismissed early. If announcements are not made via the channels below, buses will run routes on a regular schedule and schools will open at their normal times. Due to isolated inclement weather situations, BCS may also modify the schedule of schools according to their assigned districts (Enka, Erwin, North Buncombe, Owen, Reynolds, or Roberson).

Buncombe County Schools will utilize up to five remote instruction days or 30 remote instruction hours when schools are unable to open due to severe weather conditions, etc.

Learn more about the winter weather decision-making process.

Help! Which District Am I In?
Learn more about assigned districts within Buncombe County Schools. This information is also located next to each school in our school directory.

1-Hour Delay: School buses will pick up students one hour later than usual.

2- Hour Delay: School opening/bus routes will be delayed for two hours.

1-Hour Early Dismissal: All bus routes operate one hour earlier than the normal time.

2- Hour Early Dismissal: All bus routes operate two hours earlier than the normal time.

The BCS Mobile App

Our mobile app is the best way to receive emergency and weather-related notifications about your school. On your iOS or Android device, simply download our official Buncombe County Schools app, enabling "push notifications." There is no login or password to remember, and you can subscribe to each of your schools. These push notifications are only used for emergency and weather-related information.

Buncombeschools.org

To find or verify a school weather/safety decision, visit our district website at BuncombeSchools.org and look for the alert window to appear at the top of the page. (When minimized, an alert button is shown in the lower right.)

Social Media

Like/Follow @BuncombeSchools on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

Weather/Safety Hotline

For the latest weather information, call our Weather Hotline at 828-255-5939 (English) or 828-255-5948 (Spanish).

Local Media

Stay tuned to local news, newspapers, and radio broadcasts for BCS weather and safety information. The following media outlets have expressed their commitment to keeping school families informed:

Do you represent a local news/broadcast entity? We'd like to know that you are committed to helping us keep the public informed. Please email communications@bcsemail.org and let us know your intentions. 

Phone & Email

Under some circumstances, we may need to send you emails or recorded calls. This is based on the contact information you have provided to your schools. To ensure delivery of such messages, please keep your contact information up to date in the Parent Portal, or call your school's data manager for assistance. BCS staff may also update their contact info and learn about custom notifications at buncombeschools.org/change.

Child Care Resources

The following resources pertain to childcare needs during inclement weather:

  1. The YMCA School’s Out Program for inclement weather is offered at five sites across Buncombe County: Hominy Valley Elementary (Enka District), Charles T. Koontz Intermediate (Roberson District), Haw Creek Elementary (Reynolds District), Black Mountain Elementary (Owen District), and the YMCA Youth Services Center (North Buncombe/Erwin Districts and Asheville City Schools; Beaverdam location). If you wish to use this resource, the YCMA asks parents to register online prior to the day of closure. (Choose your School’s Out Site and register under School’s Out Program.) The daily fee is $40 per child. Please contact the YMCA Business Center for any questions at 828-251-5910. Program opening times will be posted on WLOS-TV.

  2. The Zaniac School Closure Day Camp is available to kindergarten through eighth grade students for half and full day programs during inclement weather, early dismissal days, teacher workdays, and many scheduled breaks. Visit the Zaniac website for more information or call 828-575-0355.

  3. Inclement weather care ("Snow Care") is offered by the City of Asheville Parks & Recreation during weather-related school closures at the Tempie Avery Montford Center (34 Pearson Drive, Asheville, NC 28801). The service is open to kindergarten students through fifth graders from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. for only $5. Students should bring a lunch, snack, and water bottle. See WLOS or the Parks & Recreation Facebook page for scheduling changes. First-time participants are encouraged to call 828.253.3714 before arrival.

Does your community organization offer childcare and activities during inclement weather? Send details to communications@bcsemail.org.