Kansas City Schools Cancel Classes Due to Winter Storm

News Summary

Due to severe winter weather and hazardous road conditions, Kansas City schools have canceled classes for Tuesday, January 7, 2025. With snowfall exceeding 10 inches in some areas, districts like Blue Springs, Olathe, and Shawnee Mission will not hold in-person or virtual classes. While staff will work remotely, some districts will implement alternative methods of instruction, allowing students to continue their studies online. Public safety remains a priority as road crews clear icy pathways amidst the winter weather.

Kansas City Schools Cancel Classes Tuesday Due to Winter Storm

Well, it looks like winter has truly settled in across the Kansas City metro area! As many of us were cozying up with a hot drink over the weekend, the snowfall piled up like a fluffy white blanket, leaving behind more than just a winter wonderland. Due to the severe winter weather and dangerous road conditions, several school districts have decided to cancel classes on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

Snow and Ice Galore!

To set the scene, areas like Blue Springs, Overland Park, and Leawood have reported receiving a whopping 10 or more inches of snow! That’s a lot of white stuff that makes everything look magical, but it can certainly complicate daily life. Roads and highways in the region remain slippery and hazardous because of the snow and the underlying ice, making it unsafe for students to travel. It seems like Mother Nature is keeping us on our toes!

School Closures Across the Metro

The Kansas City, Missouri School District has announced that students won’t be heading to school in-person or even virtually on Tuesday, which is quite a change from their usual routine. Staff will, however, be working remotely, so at least the educators can stay on top of things from the comfort of their homes.

Other notable closures on the Missouri side include:

Liberty
Blue Valley
Spring Hill
Odessa

And on the Kansas side, we’ve got several districts shutting their doors as well, including:

Olathe
Shawnee Mission
Kansas City, Kansas
Piper
Turner
Leavenworth
Bonner Springs/Edwardsville
De Soto
Eudora
Gardner-Edgerton
Basehor-Linwood

Alternative Methods of Instruction and Online Learning

For those schools that are not closing entirely, it looks like students are in for a bit of a different experience. Districts such as Lee’s Summit, North Kansas City, Blue Springs, Park Hill, Belton, and the Center School District will adopt an Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) day. Meaning, students will need to check online for their assignments and continue their studies from home.

Meanwhile, other districts like the Platte County School District, Hickman Mills School District, and Kearney School District announced that it will also be a virtual learning day, preserving the learning momentum, though from the comfort of home!

Keeping the Roads Clear

While schools are taking a break, road crews are hard at work. They are out there navigating the near-zero temperatures and biting wind chills in an effort to clear the roads for everyone. This is a reminder that even though school may be out, many people are still braving the elements to keep things running smoothly. Safety first!

Other Closures and Reminders

It’s not just schools that are pausing operations; institutions like Park University will close both its main and Independence campuses on Tuesday, and the University of Kansas has also decided to close its Lawrence, Edwards, and Leavenworth campuses. Additionally, Metropolitan Community College will be closed on both Monday and Tuesday across all campuses. The local 16th Judicial Circuit and Café Corazo are joining in on the closure bandwagon for Monday and Tuesday, too!

Final Thoughts

If you’re a student or a parent in the Kansas City area, keep an eye out for updates from your local school district. Stay warm and safe out there, and let’s hope this winter weather lets up soon so everyone can get back to their regular schedules!