Winter weather is expected this month and Northshore School District staff want parents and students to be prepared for road conditions.

King County Road Service Division announced it will only plow or sand 10 percent of the county roads in a county-wide snow and ice event, which is a two-thirds reduction from a few years ago. Current county maps show there will be plowing and sanding on the Woodinville/Duvall Road starting at 171st Ave. N.E. to Duvall Avondale Road and the Juanita/Woodinville Road, west of I-405.

This reduction in road support will impact the ability of school district buses and families to transport children to and from school on inclement weather days. A district spokesperson says the district will consider these factors when making a decision to start schools late or close schools.

For more information, families can access the 2010 Snow and Ice Bulletin. Parents can view bus-route information or contact the district Transportation Department at (425) 408-7900.

Parents are encouraged to update their contact information with their child’s school if they have changed their phone numbers so the district can notify them in the event of a school delay, closure or emergency.

Families who do not want the interruption of an early morning or evening inclement weather call can opt out of receiving them by contacting the district communications department at (425) 408-7670. They will still receive general announcements and emergency phone calls.

The decision to close schools or delay start times will be announced on most radio and television stations.

Ways to find out if Northshore Schools will be delayed or closed:

– Local radio and television stations

– Public Schools Emergency Communications System Web site: www.schoolreport.org

– Click on King County Schools, Northshore School District

– District Web site: www.nsd.org

– District Information Line (425) 408-6001

– Call the school’s main number; when the voice mail service answers, press “9.”