Emergency Information

Our district boundaries include the valley floor as well as mountainous areas with steep hills. Sometimes there is no snow in the valley while our hilly areas have snow or ice that make it unsafe for buses to travel. When we make a decision that impacts school delay, closure, or bus routes, we will notify our families and community in the following ways:

Flash Alert: This is how we notify the media of closures and delays, but you can also opt-in to this email and push-notification system. Please visit https://www.flashalert.net/id/OrtingSD to sign up for email notifications, then download the free FlashAlert Messenger app to receive push notifications on your mobile phone. There is no cost to view messages, download the app, or subscribe to messages.

Pierce County Dept. of Emergency Management: Flood season can happen any time and it’s important to prepare ourselves and our families for all types of emergencies and disasters.

NOAA’s National Weather Service: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's local forecast by city, state.

Phone Call: Please make sure your primary number is correct at your child's school, as we will send out a phone message as soon as a decision is made that impacts school operating hours and/or bus routes. If you miss the call, the message is sent to your voicemail.

Text Message: Please make sure your phone number is correct at your child's school, as we will send out an text as soon as a decision is made that impacts school operating hours and/or bus routes.  

Email: Please make sure your email address is correct at your child's school, as we will send out an email as soon as a decision is made that impacts school operating hours and/or bus routes.

Local News
Flash Alert sends notifications regarding the status of school operations to local television and radio stations. Television stations will often run these notifications as ticker a at the bottom of the screen.

Orting School District Website
You may visit www.ortingschools.org for the status of school operations. Notifications and updates will be posted as a pop-up on the first page you visit, including school sites.

The following stations announce local updates:
Television: KOMO on channel 4, KING on channel 5, KIRO on channel 7, or KSTV on channel 11
AM Radio: KAPS660, KGY1240, KJTT1110, KBRC1430, KIRO710, KLAY1180, KRSG1210, KIX1880, KNWS770, KCIS630, KOMO1000, KRKO1380, and KVI570.
FM Radio: KBKS106.1, KSLY92.5, KUBE93.3, KPLZ101.5, KBSG97.3, KMPS94.1, KUOW94.9, KCMS105.3, KMTT103.7, KXXO96.1, KIRO100.7, KPLU88.5, KYCW96.5, and KJR95.7.

Orting School District Website
You may visit www.ortingschools.org for the status of school operations. Notifications and updates will be posted as a pop-up on the first page you visit, including school sites.

Limited Transportation Routes

Limited transportation routes are put into effect when road conditions in certain areas are judged hazardous for safe bus travel. (Remember: buses may not be able to go to the same locations a car or SUV may be able to go). Students will need to walk to the designated stops to catch the bus.

 When operating on “LIMITED TRANSPORTATION” the modified routes/bus stops are in effect:

 *** IMPORTANT NOTE*** To eliminate confusion, students will be dropped off at the same place where they were picked up in the morning.  This will be done even if the weather conditions have improved during the day.

Emergency Announcements

The winter months occasionally bring weather conditions which require school schedule delays or closures. Each family should have a plan covering what to do when children arrive home early due to an emergency situation. Situations that should be discussed include:

1. If you live on a route included in the limited transportation plan, make sure your child knows what their alternate stop will be.
2. Where could they go if they needed help?
3. Who would care for him or her until you arrive?
4. Is there someone your child could call to allay fears?

Announcements will be in the following form:

SCHOOLS CLOSED: All schools will be closed all day. All meetings, field trips, after-school activities, etc. are cancelled and may be rescheduled for a future date.

SCHOOLS OPEN - TWO HOURS LATE: Bus schedules and school will begin two hours late. Students will be dismissed at the regular time unless announced. Listen to your radio for further announcements. When schools are two hours late, AM Preschool classes are cancelled. Full day Kindergarten is in session as are all PM half day sessions. The start time for Right at School will be two hours late. 

SCHOOLS OPEN - TWO HOURS LATE on FRIDAY: Bus schedules and school will begin two hours late.  Dismissal will be on a Monday - Thursday Schedule.  NO EARLY RELEASE.

LIMITED TRANSPORTATION: Bus service is limited due to road restrictions or weather conditions.  For the safety of all, if students are picked up at a different stop for the limited transportation, they will also be dropped off at that same stop.

NO OUT OF DISTRICT TRANSPORTATION: There will be no transportation to any programs outside our district for any students.

NO ACTIVITY RUNS: There will be no transportation for after school activities.

EVENING ACTIVITIES CANCELLED: All scheduled activities at District schools and buildings are canceled and may be rescheduled for a future date.

Emergency bus routes are posted below. Please note we may be running late due to traffic and weather conditions.