Weather Information

November 14, 2022

• SNOW DAY                                 

  HOW IS THE DECISION MADE FOR A SNOW DAY? SAFETY IS THE PRIORITY! 

• The winter season is upon us. Our district administration, faculty, and staff understand that our decision to open or close school during inclement weather often disrupts family schedules and means the school year may have to be extended. We also understand that our students are better served -academically and socially -by being in school. But, as always, our top priority is the safety of our students. So the decision to close school is not an easy one. The process is complex and involves several people.

• HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION? Please understand that we make the decision to open or close school in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as: 

  • Information on road conditions from our transportation personnel, from local law enforcement, and area road crews.

  • Amount of snow and ice accumulation.

  • Whether precipitation will continue throughout the day.

  • Temperature and wind chill.

  • Weather predictions (including those from the weather alert service).

  • Storm Timing

  • Building conditions (such as whether we have electricity and heat).

  • Parking lot conditions

  WHO MAKES THE DECISION? The Superintendent is ultimately responsible for the final decision based on the above factors and recommendations from those mentioned above. Area superintendents consult with each other to discuss our situations regarding busing and students walking. Still, each district has its own unique circumstances.

  WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE? We do our best to make the decision by 6:00 a.m., or earlier so we can notify you via ParentSquare and various websites. Keep in mind that unusual weather conditions may force us to make the decision after this time. Please stay tuned to the media and communication outlets. However, it is very important for parents to have plans in place in case the decision needs to be made later. It is quite possible that bus or building issues could come up and not be discovered until after 6:00 a.m. In those cases, decisions on school attendance could be made at a later time.

  WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN?  If conditions get worse during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal, but we will give as much notice as possible through ParentSquare. Although we do our absolute best in the process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to get to school, use your best judgment on whether or not he or she should attend. During very extreme weather conditions, if you choose to keep your child at home, his/her absence will be counted as an excused absence.

  Regarding extra-curricular events, practices, and other school-related activities outside of the normal day, we prefer to exercise flexibility in these situations as opposed to an inflexible policy. Occasionally events scheduled in the evening could be held as conditions improve. Some schools do not have that policy, and we will respect the wishes of the individual districts involved. Again, we will support those decisions made in good faith out of the personal beliefs regarding your child's safety.

  HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?

  • ParentSquare phone call and email

  • CAM district website www.camraiders.com

  • Channel 20 News TV and their website at wandtv.com, Channel 3 at wcia.com and WTIM taylorvilledailynews.com

  These alerts occur in mass release and will be posted and received in a random fashion, but will be released as soon as decisions are made. It is very important that your phone number and email is up to date in Skyward and on ParentSquare so you can receive calls, texts, and emails. Call your child's school(s) to update your phone number.

  HOW MANY DAYS CAN WE TAKE? School districts typically build five emergency days per school year into their calendars. If emergency days are used, they must be made up at the end of the school year. If we use more than the allotted 5 emergency days, we can apply to the State Board of Education for "Act of God" days and hope it is approved. Otherwise, the emergency days beyond the scheduled 5 will also need to be made up. 

• It is challenging to become completely acclimated to cold weather, but we are hopeful that students, parents, and staff are preparing their vehicles with emergency gear, making sure phones stay charged, and everyone dresses appropriately when going out in the elements.