Well, like it or not, winter is once again making some of us question why we live so far North. I have to remind myself from time to time that we do get 3 great seasons each year. Last year in January I made a similar post in which I listed some of the factors that are taken into consideration when making the all important decision of whether or not to close school. Keep in mind, no single factor typically results in school being closed.
LCS Administrators are constantly monitoring weather conditions and forecasts. In very simple terms, a decision has to be made that does not place our students or staff in situations that are unsafe. That said, traveling or being outside in the winter does carry with it an inherent risk. After all, this is Michigan - it does get cold and it does snow.
Recently, the Van Buren County Superintendents got together to develop some guidelines with respect to temperatures and school closing. The county guideline involves a "sustained" wind chill temperature of 20 below or colder. While schools are not obligated to observe the guideline, it does give us something to go on. The key word here is "sustained". Quite often, including forecasts for this week of January 12, 2015, we'll see pre-dawn temperatures at or near the 20 below mark. If temperatures are expected to improve throughout the day and the buses can start, it's quite possible that we will have school despite the cold. In these situations we ask that parents limit the amount of time children are in the cold and consider driving them to school, waiting with them at the bus stop in a heated vehicle, or watching for the bus from inside. One resource I've seen says that in 20 below temperatures, frostbite on exposed skin occurs in approximately 28 minutes. Please make sure your students are dressed for the weather conditions, especially if they will be spending any time outside. At the elementary, recess is moved inside when wind chill temperatures reach 10 degrees. If parents disagree with a decision to hold school in inclement weather, they always have the option of keeping their children home for the day.
With respect to snow and ice, when it is expected, we begin checking roads around 4:00AM. It really comes down to how passable the roads are. Can the buses make it through? If the wind is blowing, drifting on back roads becomes an issue in need of consideration. Have the plows been out? Have law enforcement agencies issued any travel warnings? Has the National Weather Service issued warnings?
On a typical morning, I will be in communication not only with our Operations Director but also with area Superintendents and sometimes with the County Road Commission. We gather as much information as possible and try to make a decision by 5:30am. At times, when the weather is rapidly deteriorating, a later cancellation is possible. If we decide to close school, we immediately notify area media outlets. Your best bet is to watch WWMT (ch. 3). We also create and send a School Messenger call. If you have not received these calls or would like to update your information, please notify our offices at 624-7901.
Our current Board policy does allow, under certain circumstances, high school and middle school groups to participate in extra-curricular activities on days that school is closed. This typically occurs when conditions are expected to improve and only for older students. The decision to hold practices and games is made on a case by case basis based on the recommendation of the secondary principals and athletic director.
As always, please feel free to give me a call with any concerns or questions you may have.
Superintendent Chris Rice
LCS Administrators are constantly monitoring weather conditions and forecasts. In very simple terms, a decision has to be made that does not place our students or staff in situations that are unsafe. That said, traveling or being outside in the winter does carry with it an inherent risk. After all, this is Michigan - it does get cold and it does snow.
Recently, the Van Buren County Superintendents got together to develop some guidelines with respect to temperatures and school closing. The county guideline involves a "sustained" wind chill temperature of 20 below or colder. While schools are not obligated to observe the guideline, it does give us something to go on. The key word here is "sustained". Quite often, including forecasts for this week of January 12, 2015, we'll see pre-dawn temperatures at or near the 20 below mark. If temperatures are expected to improve throughout the day and the buses can start, it's quite possible that we will have school despite the cold. In these situations we ask that parents limit the amount of time children are in the cold and consider driving them to school, waiting with them at the bus stop in a heated vehicle, or watching for the bus from inside. One resource I've seen says that in 20 below temperatures, frostbite on exposed skin occurs in approximately 28 minutes. Please make sure your students are dressed for the weather conditions, especially if they will be spending any time outside. At the elementary, recess is moved inside when wind chill temperatures reach 10 degrees. If parents disagree with a decision to hold school in inclement weather, they always have the option of keeping their children home for the day.
With respect to snow and ice, when it is expected, we begin checking roads around 4:00AM. It really comes down to how passable the roads are. Can the buses make it through? If the wind is blowing, drifting on back roads becomes an issue in need of consideration. Have the plows been out? Have law enforcement agencies issued any travel warnings? Has the National Weather Service issued warnings?
On a typical morning, I will be in communication not only with our Operations Director but also with area Superintendents and sometimes with the County Road Commission. We gather as much information as possible and try to make a decision by 5:30am. At times, when the weather is rapidly deteriorating, a later cancellation is possible. If we decide to close school, we immediately notify area media outlets. Your best bet is to watch WWMT (ch. 3). We also create and send a School Messenger call. If you have not received these calls or would like to update your information, please notify our offices at 624-7901.
Our current Board policy does allow, under certain circumstances, high school and middle school groups to participate in extra-curricular activities on days that school is closed. This typically occurs when conditions are expected to improve and only for older students. The decision to hold practices and games is made on a case by case basis based on the recommendation of the secondary principals and athletic director.
As always, please feel free to give me a call with any concerns or questions you may have.
Superintendent Chris Rice