Emergencies & Closings

SCHOOL CLOSURE INFORMATION

TO:  Parents of DGF Students

FROM:  Shannon Hunstad, Superintendent

RE:  Inclement Weather and School Closing Information 

Who Is Watching The Weather?  The superintendent and school administrators carefully watch the weather conditions.

Where Do They Get Their Information?  The superintendent makes every effort to remain completely informed using direct contacts with the National Weather Service, personal observation, and telephone contact with individuals living in the rural areas of the district, law enforcement agencies, and city/county/state road maintenance personnel.  The superintendent tests the road conditions and visibility on bus routes beginning as early as 4:00 a.m.

What Factors Are Considered When Making The Decision To Close Schools?  The safety of all district children is theprimary concern in making our decision.  In deciding whether children will be safe, we look at the following factors:

• Visibility and current/expected wind conditions

• Road conditions (current, anticipated, and the status of city and county road crews)

• The time snow starts and the current/expected amount

• Alert level from National Weather Service

• Temperature and wind-chill

• Expected duration of the storm

Who Makes The Decision?  The superintendent of schools based on the above factors and input from others.

When Is The Decision Made?  On some rare occasions, the decision will be made the night before by 9:30 p.m., which allows sufficient time to notify the local media before the 10:00 p.m. news.  Most often, the decision is made no later than 6:30 a.m.  A delay or cancellation after 8:30 a.m. is possible but since buses must be enroute by 7:00 a.m., later decision-making is undesirable.

How Is The Public Notified?  In the event of an emergency that results in school closings, delay in the start of school, or early dismissal, parents will be contacted through our automated calling system, School Messenger. If possible, emergency information will be posted on the district’s website. School closing announcements and other emergency information also will be broadcast on the following media outlets:

Televsion: KVLY, KVRR, KXJB, WDAY

Radio: KFGO, KVOX, KULW, KRVI, WDAY, KQWB, KVOX, KLTA, KPFX, KEGK, KQWB

What If A Storm Develops During The Day? 

Our district has a good balance of rural students and city dwellers.  If a storm develops during a school day, consideration must be given to an additional factor.  The ability of parents to pick up their child and/or have someone supervise the child if parents are unable to do so, must be considered as well as the changing visibility and road conditions within our school district.  Our district is approximately a 380 square mile area.  Again, the safety of our children is the priority when making a decision related to school dismissal and late starts.  In the case of an early dismissal the decisions to allow students to walk home, or drive, are made by the building principal based upon permission slips, telephone calls or similar communications. 

At times students in kindergarten through grade eight may be kept at school until their parents or other designated adults come to pick them up.  In cases of very severe weather high school students could also be required to stay until individual arrangements have been made with parents.  It is appropriate for you or another authorized adult to pick up your children at school when weather conditions have gotten progressively worse during the day.  Please be assured that your children will be safe and well cared for in the event that it is not safe for you to come to pick them up.

What If Individual Parents Are Concerned About The Weather?  Parents have every right to pick up their children at school or not send them to school at any time that they feel the weather is a threat to their safety.

Can You Communicate With Busses That Are Out On Routes?  All busses are equipped with two-way radios and we are capable of remaining in radio contact with each bus.

COMMUNICATING ABOUT EMERGENCIES

In the event of an emergency that results in school closings, delay in the start of school, or early dismissal, parents will be contacted through our automated calling system, School Messenger. If possible, emergency information will be posted on the district’s website.  School closing announcements and other emergency information also will be broadcast on the following media outlets:

Televsion KVLY, KVRR, KXJB, WDAY

Radio KFGO, KVOX, KULW, KRVI, WDAY, KQWB, KVOX, KLTA, KPFX, KEGK, KQWB

Unless it is absolutely necessary, please do not call your child’s school with questions during an emergency. School telephone lines must remain open for emergency communications

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District is part of the Cass-Clay Unified School Response Team. The CCUSR has developed a comprehensive emergency plan with the help of  law enforcement, emergency management, and public health officials.

The emergency plan incorporates  universal response actions. Universal response actions are clear, standardized directives that can be implemented quickly in a variety of emergency situations. When an emergency happens, the school principal or district administrator will implement one of the following response actions:

• Evacuation: All students and staff will exit the building. If the school grounds are not safe, students may be relocated to another site.

• Reverse Evacuation: All students and staff will move into the building. Exterior doors and windows will be locked and public access to the school will be temporarily suspended.

• Severe Weather Shelter: All students and staff will be moved to designated shelter areas within the building. If severe weather strikes during dismissal, buses may be delayed.

• Shelter-in-Place: All students and staff will move into the building. Windows will be closed and ventilation systems will be temporarily disabled to keep out contaminants.

• Lockdown: All students and staff will secure their areas by locking doors and windows. Public access to the school will be temporarily suspended.

Emergency drills are routinely held in all schools to prepare students and staff. Please note that during a Reverse Evacuation or Lockdown, access to the building will be restricted to the public, including parents. After the emergency response action is lifted, you will be allowed to enter the building.

In the event of an emergency, we may need to contact you. Please make sure that your emergency contact information at your child’s school is current. This includes daytime phone numbers for parents and names of individuals who are authorized to pick up your children if they must be released early. Children will be released only to their parents or individuals as authorized by parents on the student’s enrollment form.  The names and information of those authorized persons is registered in the student information system.  Should you have questions please call the secretary at your child’s school.

While emergency events are rare, parents can be assured that the district works closely with emergency partners, including police, fire and medical, to be prepared. All of our plans are focused on protecting the health and safety of our students.