Inclement Weather - How Do I Decide Whether or Not to Cancel School (11/20/15) //www.williamsbayschools.org/pro/bulletin/rss_posts.cfm?threadid=9&memberid=886 Dr. Anderson's Blog - Inclement Weather - How Do I Decide Whether or Not to Cancel School (11/20/15) en-us Wayne Anderson //www.williamsbayschools.org/about/blog.cfm?posts=1&threadid=9#item_9 The weatherman is now letting us know that the first winter storm of the season is about to hit. How much snow we will get depends upon the storm’s track, so like always we will wait and see whether we get a dusting or have some significant accumulations. In any case, I felt that this would be an appropriate time to remind you of the process that I go through when deciding whether or not school should be called off because of the weather. Last year was a fairly routine winter, but the 2013-2014 school year was record breaker for my career. During that year, I cancelled school for five (5) days – one for ice and four (4) for cold. This was more than I had ever called off in my entire administrative career.

So as we prepare for the first snowflakes to fall, I thought I would take this opportunity to remind you of the process that I go through when making the decision of whether or not to cancel school on any given day. First, calling off school for inclement weather is not an exact science. My first priority when deciding whether or not to have school is always the safety of our students and staff. Can they get to school safely? A normal snow day starts around 4:00 a.m. I start the day with a conversation with our bus company to find out whether or not they will be able to safely run our bus routes. In order for them to make this determination, they start driving the routes anywhere between midnight and 3:00 a.m. to determine how safe the routes will be for their busses. If they have determined that it is not safe for their busses to go out then I make the decision to call off school for that day. If the roads are currently acceptable, but might be getting worse as the day goes on then I examine what the weather forecasts are for the day and have discussions with other area superintendents to find out their plans.   By 5:00 a.m., I try to have a decision made regarding whether or not to cancel school. Once I have made the decision to cancel school, the decision is passed on to the radio and television stations so that they can get the news out to the public. I also send out a school messenger announcement to all parents and staff letting everyone know of my decision.

In the case of cold weather, the decision is made based on air temperature. If the National Weather Service has issued a wind chill warning then school will be cancelled because of cold. If the National Weather Service issues a wind chill advisory then I look at what the air temperature (wind chill) will be when students are going to be getting on the bus or walking to school. If I feel that this temperature puts student and staff at risk then I make the decision to cancel school; however, if I feel that students and staff can get safely to school then I make the decision to have school on that day.

As I mentioned earlier, deciding whether or not to have school is not an exact science. In the end you are responsible for making the decision on whether or not to send your child(ren) to school. If I make the decision to have school and you feel that conditions are too dangerous then please keep them home. Just call the office to let them know of your decision and it will always be honored.

Enjoy winter because it will be with us for a while.

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