Winter is quickly approaching and student safety is top priority in the Washoe County School District.

School district officials hosted a safety demonstration Wednesday at the Schultz Transportation Center.

Bus drivers demonstrated how school buses use ‘drop-down’ tire chains during hazardous conditions.

Officials also gave news crews a look inside their communications office and explained how teams work with the National Weather Service, along with other community partners to make decisions.

“We want to make sure that people are trained on different fronts, safety measures… both for you and your family… your children. And then also, if you don’t have families or children, you know, because you’re aware of the conditions that you encounter on cold, winter mornings, Adam said

Searcy, Chief Operating Officer for the Washoe County School District.

If weather and road conditions are hazardous, the district may change school start times or cancel classes altogether.

“We’re monitoring the weather directly. We’re obviously in touch with the National Weather Service and a number of other partners,” Searcy said.

It is important to know when changes are happening as this may mean students walk to school at different times or use different bus routes.”

“Not only is it often dark outside, we see pedestrians moving in unusual patterns and to different locations during the day. So you know, like I said, even if you don’t have kids in school, delays in school classes, especially delay start times are something that the entire community should be aware of.”

Scott Lee is the school district’s transportation director. He says winter driving patterns are different across the area.

“On the road, they can expect slower, much slower traffic. They can expect an increase in accidents, spinouts and things like that. They can expect our students to be walking on the streets or possibly on snow-covered sidewalks.” ..everyone needs to slow down, pay attention and be careful.”

For families with students enrolled with the district, Searcy says it’s important to make sure all contact information is up to date before the winter term.

“We are working hard to make the decisions to communicate with families through various channels. The most direct and direct is through our infinite campus system that sends direct messages, phone calls, text messages, whatever you want.”