As the wind and snow swirls outside, I remember I am often asked about snow days in schools. Snowy and cold days often raise the hopes of a “snow day” for many students and even some adults. I’d like to share the process that goes into determining when to keep schools open and when to cancel classes.
Our school officials daily monitor weather forecasts and communicate with law enforcement personnel and the county highway department. As early as 4 a.m. during poor weather conditions or bitter cold, officials are outside monitoring weather conditions or driving roads. Communication is very important during this time. Information is shared among the area school districts and higher-education institutions regarding the forecast and current conditions.
The safety of all students is the primary concern in making a decision regarding school. Many of the factors include visibility and current/expected wind conditions, road conditions, expected amount of snow, temperature and wind-chill and expected duration of the storm. The final decision rests with the superintendent of schools.
Once the decision is made, the calling begins. The goal is to make a decision by 6 a.m. to effectively notify our staff and media outlets. School officials notify the local media outlets. At the same time, the information is shared with employees, and the technology department posts an announcement on the district website, which also is e-mailed to those subscribed to our weather announcements.
It is very important to note that if you do not see or hear official news of a school closing, then school is considered “on as usual.” The assumption should always be that schools are open unless you hear differently.
Whenever school is canceled, typically the district-sponsored after-school and evening activities are canceled, including all Community Education activities. Many local organizations will follow the school closure, but you may want to check with other agencies to determine if your activity is canceled.
The purpose of a two-hour delay is to allow conditions to improve so we can transport students to school with a greater degree of safety. In the event of a two-hour late start, morning kindergarten and early-childhood classes will be canceled; K+ will be open two hours late. On rare occasions, severe weather threatens after the start of the school day, and it becomes necessary to release students early from school. Current and correct emergency information for our students is necessary in the event school is released early.
Rest assured that these decisions are not taken lightly. It is difficult to know with absolute accuracy the weather conditions, and we will attempt to err on the side of caution. Our school district encompasses 216 square miles along the Red River, is 34 miles long and 9.5 miles wide. The school district includes the cities of Moorhead, Georgetown, Sabin, Rustad, Comstock, Kragnes and a part of Dilworth. The conditions in one part of the district may be completely different from another part. Decisions are made with the safety of all students in mind.
Of course, I urge all adults to exercise their best judgment regarding weather conditions. If parents believe it’s unsafe to transport their children to school, I encourage them to keep their children at home. We respect the parents’ right to make a decision regarding attending or staying in school during difficult weather conditions.
I want to take the time to wish you and your families a safe, happy holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in January 2011 as we continue to work together for our strong schools and strong community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lynne A. Kovash
Superintendent
Moorhead Area Public Schools