When To Open & Close In The Face Of Severe Weather

Schools are, no doubt, used to dealing with severe weather threats and maintaining the safety of their students. But that doesn't mean it can't still be a tough call when deciding on whether to shut things down or remain open as usual. When watching over tens, hundreds, or even thousands of students, making the right call is absolutely critical. We recently found an article from our friends over at District Administration that helps shed a little light on the issue.

Now, more than ever, we have accurate and reliable weather information right at our fingertips. This is obviously a generally great resource to have, but it can also cause a few problems for educators. Since weather information is so widely accessible, there's a decent chance that not everyone in your community will agree with a decision to close schools in the face of severe weather. Just like some may not agree with a decision to remain open. Safety is obviously the main concern when it comes to making a decision, but it's also important to consider several factors when making determining whether you will open of close.

A few things DA points out that you should consider:

1. Get the facts: Having a consistent source for weather information is crucial to making safety decisions for your school district. In addition to knowing the weather conditions, you need to understand how a weather event could affect specific areas of your district.

2. Consult with experts: The superintendent is ultimately going to make the final call when it comes to delays or closures, but your district should always seek recommendations from experienced resources to help guide the decision.

Experts to consult with include:

• Meteorologists to provide weather information for specific areas in your district.
• District directors from transportation, operations and athletic departments.
• County and local officials, including emergency services and administrators from neighboring districts.
  

3. Follow best practices:

• If school is in session, consider early dismissal, but it may be harder to get in touch with caregivers.
• Try to announce any closure decisions before 9 p.m. to meet nighttime news deadlines.
• If weather conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight, but may not last throughout the following day, consider a delayed start.
• If the decision must be made in the morning, try to make the announcement by 5 a.m. to accommodate staff and parents who are first on campus or may have further to travel.

With a plan in place, and a way to communicate with your school community effectively, school leaders can always be prepared for severe weather threats. Schools and districts can use an app by SchoolInfo to send notifications from anywhere at any time to ensure students and families never miss an alert about school closures. 

Interested in learning more about how a branded mobile app for your school can make the difference when making big school closure decisions? Schedule a demo today!