SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS - It’s that time of year; the winter season is here. Our administration and staff understand that our decision to open, delay, or close school during inclement weather can significantly impact families. We also understand the importance of having our students in school. Ultimately student safety is the most important thing we must consider. As a parent of six and the youngest of them now driving, I understand my decision’s importance. As a parent, allowing your teen driver to drive to school is your decision. Please make the decision carefully.
HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION? Please understand that the decision to open, delay or close schools in bad weather will be based on various factors, such as: information on road conditions from the transportation supervisor, sheriff’s department, and township road crews—we must carefully consider all the roads in the district, as some can be dangerous even
if your road looks clear, amount of snow and ice accumulation, whether precipitation will
continue throughout the day, temperature and wind chills at or below –15°F, weather predictions (including those from a weather alert service), storm timing, building conditions (such as whether they have electricity and heat), and parking lot conditions, can we get them cleared in time for school to open.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION? As Superintendent, I make the final decision with information on the above factors and recommendations from the transportation and maintenance supervisors.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE? Our goal is to decide by 5:45 a.m. or earlier. This provides us with just enough time to notify TV and radio stations, send out the notice on SchoolMessenger, and post it on our website and other social media outlets. Remember that unusual circumstances may force us to decide after this time. Always stay tuned to all our communication outlets.
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN? Even if the weather conditions worsen after we decide to stay open, it is difficult to reverse our decision without consideration of endangering students. In many cases, once we decide to open schools, parents rely on it and leave for work. If students are sent back home, many will return to empty houses or unsupervised locations. Teenaged drivers being sent back home after arriving could put them at a greater risk of an accident. If conditions worsen after the start of the school day, there may be a need to have an early dismissal. We will give parents as much notice as possible if this should ever happen. Although the staff and I do our best in this process, we know that someone will always be upset with the decision. It’s your call as parent or guardian, if you think it’s unsafe for your child to attend school and you choose to keep your child at home, their absence will be counted as an excused absence, if they are not on medical status. Again please discourage your teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives.
HOW DO WE NOTIFY THE PUBLIC? The Superintendent, or his designee, will utilize one or more of the following communication channels, to keep families apprised of updates and
developments. Crestview uses a mass-notification system to communicate with families and staff. This system will send a text, make phone calls, or send emails to contacts provided on your child’s emergency medical form in FinalForms. Please make sure your contact information is updated throughout the school year. The Crestview LSD will also post a closing/delay message on our phone system by calling 419-895-1700, select option #8 (Closing & Delays), on the district website at www.crestviewschools.net and attempt TV channel: WMFD (68), and the following radio stations: WVNO-FM, WRGM, WMAN-FM, WYHT, WNCO-FM, WNCO, WSWR and WFXN-FM. Please do not call the bus garage or school unless it’s an emergency.
HOW MANY DAYS CAN WE TAKE? Our district receives up to five calamity days per school year. Our school Board has also approved three extra calamity days for students for a total of eight days. Unless otherwise voted on by the Board, any calamity days past eight will be made up. If needed, days 9 through 13 will be made up during spring break. If more days are required to be made up, we will add them to the end of the school year.
We hope this helps everyone understand the process we use to make the safest possible decision for all.