Inclement Weather Procedures
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. The District Superintendent, in consultation with our transportation team and local authorities, monitors weather and road conditions closely. This guide outlines the procedures for school delays, cancellations, and early releases due to inclement weather.
The Decision-Making Process
Our team begins evaluating conditions by 4:00 a.m., checking with local road commissions, law enforcement, and weather forecasters. We consider several factors, including:
- Road Conditions: Snow and ice accumulation, drifting snow, and visibility.
- Air Temperature & Wind Chill: We use National Weather Service forecasts. Sustained wind chills in the -25°F to -35°F range or colder may lead to delays or closures.
- Timing of Weather: The speed and timing of a storm, and whether conditions are expected to improve or worsen.
- Building Status: Ensuring our school buildings have power, heat, and cleared parking lots/sidewalks.
Our goal is to make a decision and begin communication by 6:00 a.m.
How We Communicate
When a decision is made to delay, cancel, or dismiss early, we will notify families through all of our official channels:
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Please do not call the school offices. This keeps phone lines open for emergencies. We ask all parents and guardians to ensure their contact information is up-to-date in our student information system.
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Our Weather Procedures
1. School Cancellations (No School)
- What it means: All school buildings are closed for the day.
- Why it happens: Conditions are determined to be unsafe for travel, or temperatures/wind chills are dangerously low for the entire day.
- Activities: All after-school activities, co-curriculars, practices, and events are automatically canceled.
2. Two-Hour Delay
- What it means: School will begin exactly two hours later than its normal start time.
- Bus Schedules: Bus pick-up times will also be two hours later than the regularly scheduled time.
- Programs: Morning 4K, Early Childhood, and before-school care programs are typically canceled. The breakfast program will not be served.
- Why it happens: This allows road crews time to clear routes and/or allows temperatures to rise to a safer level.
3. Early Release
- What it means: School will be dismissed early due to worsening weather conditions.
- Communication: We will make every effort to provide as much notice as possible. Parents will be notified immediately via our mass notification system.
- Activities: All after-school activities, practices, and events are automatically canceled.
Parental Discretion
As parents and guardians, you have the right to make the final decision regarding your child's safety. If the District holds school but you feel the conditions in your area are unsafe, you may keep your child home. Please follow the standard procedure for reporting an absence, and it will be marked as an excused absence.
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