Vestavia Hills City Schools

Inclement weather can sometimes impact the normal operation of Vestavia Hills City Schools. Severe weather season in central Alabama lasts throughout the entire school year; winter weather occasionally affects school schedules as well. Vestavia Hills City Schools students, families, and staff can expect to receive prompt communication from the school system during these weather events.

The decision to change school schedules due to weather is made by the superintendent. To aid in the decision-making process, Vestavia Hills City Schools is a partner of Decision Support Services at the National Weather Service in Birmingham, which provides forecasts to schools and government agencies during major weather events. VHCS also maintains partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency management agencies for guidance on the weather’s impact on the community.

We will communicate weather decisions directly to students, families, and employees through the VHCS mass notification system. Families provide their contact information to VHCS during the school registration process each year. We encourage you to keep your contact information up to date with your student’s school at all times to ensure you receive these notifications. Weather announcements are also posted on the VHCS website and social media, and shared with local print/broadcast media.

Common Weather Decisions

During a weather delay, schools will open later than their regular start times. A typical delay is 1 to 2 hours in length.

In an early dismissal, schools will end the day sooner than their regular dismissal times. A typical early dismissal takes place 1 to 2 hours before regular dismissal time.

In rare circumstances, schools will close for the entire day. Unless otherwise announced, weather-related closures are for one day only. If there is no further announcement after one day, then schools will operate as usual the next school day. A weather-related closure is not a holiday, and students may be required to make up the missed day later in the school year.

Tornado Warnings can sometimes affect schools during the day, while students and staff are on campus. During a Tornado Warning, schools will ask everyone to shelter in place. Each school has identified safe spaces within their buildings where students and staff can take shelter. In a Tornado Warning, families who are in their vehicles outside the school may enter the building to take shelter.

During a weather delay, schools will open later than their regular start times. A typical delay is 1 to 2 hours in length.
In an early dismissal, schools will end the day sooner than their regular dismissal times. A typical early dismissal takes place 1 to 2 hours before regular dismissal time.
In rare circumstances, schools will close for the entire day. Unless otherwise announced, weather-related closures are for one day only. If there is no further announcement after one day, then schools will operate as usual the next school day. A weather-related closure is not a holiday, and students may be required to make up the missed day later in the school year.
Tornado Warnings can sometimes affect schools during the day, while students and staff are on campus. During a Tornado Warning, schools will ask everyone to shelter in place. Each school has identified safe spaces within their buildings where students and staff can take shelter. In a Tornado Warning, families who are in their vehicles outside the school may enter the building to take shelter.

Reminders

Parents are encouraged to keep contact information up to date in ParentSquare, which feeds into our rapid notification system. To update your contact information, please contact your school’s office.
All weather-related messages will include the name of the school or district in the text of the announcement.
For student safety, parents are not allowed to check out students during active tornado warnings.
The following communication outlets are utilized by VHCS for weather announcements:
- VHCS Rapid Notification System (phone call, text message, email)
- VHCS Website (www.vhcs.us)
- VHCS Mobile App for iOS and Android
- VHCS Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
- Local Media (TV, radio, newspaper)