EBD - Inclement Weather

1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY

The Board of Education of Nebo School District understands that the decision to close, delay, or dismiss school early has an impact on families and the community. These decisions are not easy. 

On rare occasions, the district receives an exceptionally heavy snowfall that can make road conditions hazardous. Due to the size of the district, weather patterns may vary widely. There have been times when the entire district has received an exceptionally large amount of snow. There have also been times when only certain areas of the district are impacted by a storm.

In an effort to keep students, parents, and employees safe during these rare occasions, this policy establishes procedures and options for District Office personnel to modify school schedules to address weather-related situations. 

The Board appreciates the cooperation and understanding of parents and employees when it becomes necessary to implement these procedures and modify school schedules due to inclement weather. 

This policy also addresses situations when a school experiences poor air quality and the protocol for school administrators to follow in making decisions on student outdoor activities.

2. SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES

Individual school administrators should notify their director of serious weather and road conditions in their particular area.

3. NOTIFICATION

The district may implement a “snow day,” a “delayed start,” or an “early dismissal” at a particular school, group of schools, or district-wide. The Superintendent, or his/her designee, in consultation with other district personnel, shall make this decision, which will be announced on the home page of Nebo School District’s website (www.nebo.edu) by approximately 6:30 a.m. of the day in question. It will also be made available via social media, RSS feed, and other means of communication. Notification will be sent to KSL television and radio for broadcast.

During days of questionable weather, if there is no announcement posted on the district’s website, schools will be open and will follow normal schedules. 

The superintendent may establish communication protocols for deciding whether to alter the school schedule due to inclement weather and communicating the decision to staff, students, and the public. 

SCHEDULE ALTERATIONS

Delayed Start
In certain situations, it may be more appropriate to delay the start of school rather than close school for the day. Generally, “delayed starts” are used when weather conditions are rapidly improving. The purpose for delaying the start of school is to allow sufficient time for roadways throughout the communities to be cleared of snow. A “delayed start” may be implemented if there is a question regarding the ability of city, county, and/or state road crews to have the roadways sufficiently cleared in time for school to open. In the event of a “delayed start,” the school beginning time will be delayed for exactly two (2) hours. School dismissal times will not change. Morning-only programs, such as AM Kindergarten classes, will be cancelled.

Cancellation of School (Snow Day) 
If weather conditions are such that it is difficult or impossible for district personnel to adequately clear driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks at our school buildings and facilities; for school buses to be able to travel safely throughout the district in a timely fashion; or for the vast majority of students and employees to be able to get safely to school, then in such situations school may be cancelled district-wide for the entire day. When an entire school day is cancelled for a “snow day,” it will be made up later in the school year. A “snow day” will only be used when it is obvious that a “delayed start” schedule will not be sufficient to keep the students, parents, and employees of the district safe. 

Early Dismissal 
Since it is very difficult to ensure that there will be someone at home to receive a student during the school day, Nebo School District is reluctant to dismiss school early due to inclement weather. Past experience has shown that it is very difficult to reach all families during the school day, thus requiring many students to remain at school. Accordingly, should a storm develop rapidly during the day, schools will normally maintain a regular schedule. This may mean that school bus routes will take longer and students will arrive at bus stops or at home somewhat later than usual. This practice is preferable to having a student arrive home early to a locked or empty house. In the case of inclement weather during the school day when school is not let out early, parents will retain the discretion to check their student out early if they feel that it is safer to do so. In that case, parents should contact the school and inform them that they will come to the main office and check their student out early from school. However, there may be special and unique circumstances when it is prudent to dismiss school early due to inclement weather. The Superintendent or his/her designee will decide when and how students will be dismissed early from school. In such an event, the following procedures will be followed:

School administrators will be expected to supervise their building until they are assured that all students and staff are safely on their way home.

The Superintendent or his/her designee will notify the schools as to the time of dismissal and will coordinate with the Transportation Department when the bus students will be picked up.

For each school, the Superintendent or his/her designee and school administrators will determine specific procedures for parent notification and student check-out and pick-up.

4. SPECIAL INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES

During weather related conditions, there are often specific areas within any community in which it is difficult or impossible for parents to bring their students to school. If the district decides that it is appropriate to keep all schools open during inclement weather, the district recognizes that there may be specific areas in which it is not practical or safe for students to attend school that particular day when roads are dangerous or impassable. The district expects every family to make their own good judgment as to whether their children should stay home even if the school is open. Should this be the case, the family should promptly contact the school and inform them that their student will be unable to attend school due to special weather-related circumstances.

5. AIR QUALITY

The term “sensitive students” in this part means students who have poorly controlled or significant asthma, cystic fibrosis, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, compromised immune systems, or other respiratory problems. Parents, with the advice of their health care provider, should inform their school in writing if they believe their child is part of a “sensitive” group who should have limited outdoor physical activity when the air quality is poor.

The Utah Department of Health (“UDOH”) and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) provide information on air quality and recommendations on when schools should schedule indoor activities rather than outdoor. Air quality is assessed in terms of Particulate Matter (PM2.5) and Air Quality Index (AQI). Recommendations can be found in the UDOH’s Recess Guidance for Schools.

The current recommendations for recess, PE, and other school activities include the following: 

When the PM2.5 level is below 35.4 and the AQI is below 100, all students may engage in outdoor activities. 

When the PM2.5 level is between 35.5 and 55.4 and the AQI is between 101 and 150, “sensitive students” should avoid outdoor activities; 

When the PM2.5 level is above 55.4 and the AQI is above 150, physical activities should be moved indoors for all students. 

The schools in Nebo School District should generally follow the air quality guidelines found in the Recess Guidance and in other official publications from UDOH and DEQ, as they may be revised from time to time. According to the guidance, schools should keep the appropriate group of students inside during athletic practices, PE, recess, and lunch periods and provide alternative indoor activities. These indoor restrictions do not apply to students who are excused from the school campus during their lunch period. 

Due to the geographic size of Utah County, air quality may vary from school to school within the District, and air quality at any particular school may vary from that measured at the DEQ’s official air monitoring station(s) for Utah County. School administrators, in consultation with their director, have the discretion to permit or limit the outdoor activities listed in paragraph 6.4 despite the current County PM2.5 and AQI measurements and recommendations if more localized sensors indicate better air quality. Administrators may use reliable sources to check PM2.5 and AQI for their particular school. 

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, school administrators must consult with their director and make a joint decision with the director on whether to hold outdoor interscholastic competitions when the AQI is above 100 and the PM2.5 level is above 35.4. Administrators should follow any applicable rules of the Utah High School Activities Association. 

6. DISTRICT CRISIS MANAGEMENT PLAN

In conjunction with inclement weather, schools shall also comply with any applicable procedures set forth in the Nebo School District’s Crisis Management Plan.