CALAMITY DAY CLOSING
Our district administration, faculty, and staff understand that the decision to open or close our schools has a big effect on families. We also understand that our students are better served – both academically and socially – by being in school. But, as always, our top priority is the safety of our students.
HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION?
Please understand that we make the decision to open or close the schools in bad weather based on a careful analysis of many relevant factors, which include:
Information on road conditions from our transportation staff and from local law enforcement and road crews. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the District; they can be treacherous even if your street looks clear;
Amount of snow and ice accumulated;
Whether precipitation will continue throughout the day;
Temperature and wind chill. Wind chills during key walking and waiting for bus times are given special consideration;
Weather predictions from both national and local sources;
The timing of the storm;
Building conditions including electricity and heat; and
Parking lot conditions.
There are other scenarios that may also result in school closure. Those include loss of utilities (power, water, HVAC), staffing shortage, contagious illnesses/pandemic, and other situations where the operation of the school building is not viable or in the best interest of the Tallmadge community.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
As Superintendent, I am ultimately responsible for the final decision based on the above factors as well as conversations I have with neighboring school superintendents and recommendations from our Maintenance Team and the Transportation Supervisor.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE?
We strive to make the decision to close or to delay the start of the school day by 6 a.m. or earlier so we can notify our families and the radio and TV stations. Keep in mind that unusual weather conditions may force us to make the decision after this time. Please stay tuned to the media and communication outlets. In the event that the Tallmadge City School District is closed due to weather, all evening activities are also canceled unless otherwise noted.
WHAT ABOUT A TWO-HOUR DELAY?
A delay is called if we believe that conditions will improve enough for us to have school. Parents/guardians should continue to monitor TV and radio stations because the possibility remains that if conditions change, school may shift from a delay to being cancelled for the day.
In the event that the decision is made to delay the start of school by two (2) hours, bus schedules will be adjusted by two (2) hours and the schools will begin two (2) hours after their regularly scheduled start times. See our 2-Hour Delay Schedule for more information.
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN?
Once I make the decision to open the schools, many parents rely on that decision and leave for work. If we were to send students right back home, many would return to unsupervised bus stops and empty houses. Therefore, we will not reverse our decision once it is determined that school will be in session. Although my staff and I do our absolute best in this process, we must make the decision to close or to delay school based upon the factors noted above which can change at a moment’s notice.
If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to go to school, use your best judgment in deciding whether or not he or she should attend. If you choose to keep your child at home, his/her absence will be counted as an excused absence if you inform the school office that the reason for your child’s absence is the inclement weather. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives as weather conditions worsen.
HOW DO WE NOTIFY OUR FAMILIES?
The Tallmadge City School District will post the closing immediately on our website at: www.tallmadgeschools.org. I also send a Blackboard Connect telephone call as well as a Remind email/text notification to our families and staff members. Please contact your child’s principal if you need to update your contact information so you receive the most up-to-date information regarding school closings and delays.
Thank you for allowing us to educate your children. We will continue to utilize school delays or closings with the students’ best interests and safety in mind.
Sincerely,
Steve Wood
Superintendent