Snow cancels parent conferences in Renton; six inches could fall through Monday night

Published 1:20 pm Monday, November 22, 2010

Snow was accumulating across Renton Monday, with the school district canceling all afternoon and evening parent conferences and after-school activities.

Renton schools were on a half-day schedule Monday to accommodate the parent conferences, which will be rescheduled.

District officials urge that parents and school staff check the district website for updates and monitor local media for impacts, if any, the snow will have on schools Tuesday.

School-closure information is also available online.That includes information for local colleges that are part of the Public Schools Emergency Communications System.

The Kent School District also serves some Renton areas. Kent schools were dismissing early Monday and after-school activities, afternoon kindergarten and preschool programs are canceled. Parent conferences will be rescheduled.

Similarly, the Issaquah School District canceled evening activities and afternoon kindergarten, Head Start and preschool programs.

No major snow-related problems were reported by mid-day Monday in Renton, according to City of Renton spokeswoman Preeti Shridhar.

“We were all ready,” she said.

As forecast, Monday will feel the brunt of the first taste of winter, with snow accumulating overnight up to the six inches, according to the National Weather Service. Monday night’s low could hit 21 degrees.

Blustery winds are likely between 25 and 28 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

Tuesday’s high will top out at about 30 and the low will dip to around a chilly 19 degrees. Temperatures will start to moderate on Wednesday, with rain replacing the snow.

For Thanksgiving Day, the forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of rain, with a high near 42 degrees. Overnight, the low will be around 35 degrees.

Anyone needing shelter from the cold and snow can use the Renton Community Center during its open hours, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m.- 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The center at 1715 Maple Valley Highway is closed on Thanksgiving and the next day.

Renton officials are keeping an eye on the temperatures and will notify the public whether additional shelter times are offered.

The Renton Community Center has canceled all leagues, pre-school, aerobic classes and other activities at the center and Carco Theater because of the weather. The community center cancels activities when the school district shuts down because of bad weather.

Other closures Monday include:

• Maplewood Golf Course and driving range closed at 12:30 p.m.

• The River Rock Grill is closed. Closed signage has been posted throughout the facility.

• Renton Senior Activity Center will close at 5 p.m.

• Highlands Neighborhood Center is closed.