HOUSTON – The commute to school was a bit messy Friday morning, and HISD officials said they took every precaution to help parents get their kids to school safely.
Kids all over the Houston area were hoping to play in the snow all day long after it covered fields and roads early Friday morning.
Sky 2 aerials showed students at Arlene Rydel Robison Elementary School in Cypress who were allowed to head outside for a bit during school day to play in the snow.
Playing in the snow and ice is a much better way to pass the time than sitting in it on the roads.
WATCH: Sky2 over students playing in snow at school
"They were a little concerning this morning, but everything's clearing up. Just have to stay careful on the overpasses," driver Chris Motes said.
"I knew it was going to be cold, I didn't know it was going to be this cold," driver Carolyn said.
Parents said the ride to work and school was a bit dicey and they took their time driving their kids in to school, even if their school did not have a delay.
HISD and Spring ISD were just a few of the schools that were running regular hours.
HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza said district officials were up all night, planning and watching snow reports to make sure everyone was safe.
PHOTOS: Snowmen around Houston
"We're so big, we're over 300 schools. The snow may be impacting one part of the city, and then have a very minimal impact in the rest of the school district, so we have to look at the entire district and make those calculations based on the entirety of the district," Carranza said.
There were a few late buses, but officials were able to communicate to students and parents which ones would be late so they weren't standing out in the cold too long.
HISD officials said they would not be penalizing students who got to school late because the first priority was to make sure that everyone was safe.
LIST OF CLOSURES/DELAYS
Here's the latest information KPRC 2 has received about schools. If you have any questions about the status of your district, we recommend you contact officials in that district directly.
Aldine ISD officials said that despite the weather, school is still on for Friday.
Yes, there is school tomorrow. Harris County is not under a freeze weather alert. According to the forecast, the temperature will be above freezing on 12-8-2017. Drive safely on overpasses/bridges. Roads should be good since temps above freezing. Bundle up everyone to stay warm!
— Aldine ISD (@AldineISD) December 8, 2017
Anahuac ISD will open on a two-hour delay.
Barbers Hill ISD will delay the start of school on Friday by two hours.
Bay City ISD is delaying the start of the school day on Friday due to the snow. All campuses will open at 10 a.m. Buses will start picking up students at 8:30 a.m.
Brazos ISD will begin school at 9 a.m. on Friday. Buses will run one hour late.
Columbia-Brazoria ISD is delayed two hours on Friday.
Columbus ISD will begin classes two hours later than normal on Friday. Buses will also run two hours later than normal.
East Bend ISD is running on a normal schedule on Friday.
El Campo ISD will delay its start time by two hours.
Fort Bend ISD will be operating on a normal schedule Friday.
Good morning! Fort Bend ISD will be operating under a normal schedule today.
— Fort Bend ISD (@FortBendISD) December 8, 2017
Houston ISD officials said that schools are operating on a normal schedule Friday. However, transportation is experiencing delays. Here's the statement from the district:
"We're experiencing delays with bus transportation due to weather, traffic, and staffing. School leaders most impacted have been contacted, but this will be a district-wide problem. We also urge parents whose student rides the bus to make sure they're bundled up and to be patient as we work to get every bus rider to school safely. The safety of our students is our top priority, especially in unusual conditions such as those around the city today."
Katy ISD will be operating on a regular schedule Friday.
Katy ISD schools are operating on regular schedule today. Drivers, please be advised to take extra precaution on potentially icy roads.
— Katy ISD (@katyisd) December 8, 2017
Livingston ISD is delaying the start of school on Friday. Classes will begin two hours later than the regular schedule.
Pearland ISD will have a regular school and transportation schedule on Friday.
Spring ISD is running on a normal schedule Friday.
University of Houston officials said the locations of Clear Lake, Pearland Campus and Texas Medical Center will delay opening for two hours. The workday will start at 10 a.m.
Wharton ISD is delaying the start of school on Friday by two hours.
