TO: Parents of DGF Students
FROM: Bryan Thygeson, 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 the primary 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? All storm announcements will be available through the following media outlets.
TV 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.
