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As you know, weather in Wisconsin can change quickly and is often difficult to predict. Please know that the ability for nearly 1,000 students to safely get to and from school is the primary factor in determining a school closing, delay or early dismissal.
The decision to close, delay or dismiss students early from school due to inclement weather conditions is one that we take very seriously. We monitor the weather conditions extremely closely in the winter months. We are very fortunate to have a wide variety of resources at our disposal to assist with making these decisions. In the event that the weather is forecasted to cause any issues that might impact the safety of our students arriving at school, we are actively assessing the weather situation by 4:00 a.m. and working toward a decision no later than 5:30 a.m. Once a decision is made about a school closure or delayed start, this information is posted on our website, our District Facebook page, communicated to the local TV and radio stations and communicated to school families via School Messenger.
For snow events, full road driving checks are completed throughout the different parts of our school district. We maintain contact with road commissions and law enforcement to determine plowing/salting/sanding times and roads conditions. In addition, we review predicted weather patterns through various websites and news outlets such as the National Weather Service. In particular, we are assessing the timing of the snow/ice, the predicted accumulation amounts, the wind conditions, current road conditions and projected road conditions during travel times to and home from school. Additionally, local superintendents converse extensively to compare reports.
Early Dismissal: Due to the inconvenience early dismissals can cause for our families, we try to avoid early dismissals as much as possible. An early dismissal will only be used in a critical situation where the timing of an event makes dismissal at the regular time much more dangerous. If the weather changes and we need to dismiss school early, we typically will dismiss students around 1:00 PM. We make it our goal to have this decision made and communicated to families by 10:00 AM in order to provide parents with reasonable notice and the bus contractor with the time to meet the early release schedule. Student safety from early dismissal to the point at which parent supervision is available is always considered. Fortunately, we have excellent county and municipal road crews that clear the roads in our 287 square mile district as soon as they can to improve conditions for safe travel.
Late Start: We are aware that a late start also can be difficult on our school families. Therefore, much like early dismissal, we attempt to avoid late starts, if possible. If a late start is deemed necessary, schools typically will open two hours later than usual, unless families are notified otherwise.
Cold Weather: The main criteria for cold weather is wind chill factor. If the National Weather Service issues a wind chill warning (a sustained wind chill of -35), we will close for the day, or consider a delayed start if the warning will be lifted in the mid-morning hours. We will hold school during a wind chill advisory.
As parents and guardians, you always have the final decision on your child's attendance at school during inclement weather conditions. If you have a concern for the safety of your child on a certain weather day, you can keep him/her home or remove them from school early and this will be an excused absence. Please communicate with the school office if you make this decision as a parent.
Safe travels and enjoy our Wisconsin Winter!
Dr. Mark Johnson, Superintendent
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