Columbia City High School

November 13, 2025

Good afternoon, WCCS families!

As this week has made quite clear, the winter weather season is upon us and with that in mind, we want to briefly outline our priorities when making school delay and closing decisions. This email also includes some information about Synchronous Learning, which we will implement, beginning December 1, for school closings due to weather.

We recognize that weather conditions in Northeast Indiana can be variable and there are many things to take into account when weather hits or when conditions rapidly change. While there are no concrete rules for making decisions about school delays or closures, the following guidelines reflect our beliefs:

• Safety First: The safety of students guides all decisions regarding delays or closures.

• Keeping Schools Open: Whenever possible, we aim to keep schools open to provide educational services, supervision, and essential resources such as breakfast and lunch.

• Parental Responsibility: We trust that parents will dress their children appropriately for the weather conditions when sending them to school.

• Respecting Decisions: WCCS respects each parent's choice regarding their child's attendance during extreme weather. If parents decide to keep their child at home, they must inform the school. The absence will be recorded according to Indiana code, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work.

As an administrative team, we track weather several days in advance, when possible, in order to make the best decision regarding our students, schools, and general safety. We consult with local emergency preparedness officials and local weather services to inform our decisions. We have multiple team members out early checking roads and potential trouble areas throughout our district. We make sure our buses can safely transport our students to and from school and that our buildings are fully accessible. Altogether, we consider student safety, transportation, facilities, food services, and after school activities, and, as a team, we make a decision that best aligns with the current and forecasted conditions.

Information regarding school delay and closing guidelines can be found on the main WCCS website under the “Closings and Delays” tab.

Starting December 1, 2025, WCCS will begin using Synchronous Learning on days when weather requires that we close school, similar to neighboring districts and those across Indiana. On these days, students will meet with their teachers live through Google Meet, which is a change from past eLearning days when students worked on their own. Teachers have already been practicing this format with students to help them get ready.

Synchronous Learning helps students stay on track with their learning and reduces the need for make-up days later in the year. It also gives students valuable experience using a mix of in-person and online learning tools.

Also provided on our website and linked through the Delays and Closings page, you can find additional Synchronous Learning guidance.

If you have questions regarding synchronous learning or how it might impact your family, please review the linked website pages or contact your child’s school.

Thank you,

WCCS Administration

Thank you to our Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology partners for joining us for our quarterly breakfast meeting at Columbia City High School! It was a great morning of conversation and collaboration as teachers and community partners work together to improve student experiences!

Did you know CCHS has 138 students exploring careers through intentional internships this semester?

Thank you community partners!

CCMA is one of 24 industry-supported pathways available to Columbia City HS students.