SAFETY INFORMATION
We are sharing some guidelines if ever we have to have an early release from the school. There are a couple of options below we may execute based upon the scenario we are faced with. Please take the time to review the below information and take a look at the different lockdown levels. We will always communicate with you directly through our ONE CALL system to ensure you receive specific information and directions.
Please note:
Do not come to school, until directed to do so.
Parking
In a non-emergency release where bussing is not available, park in a designated parking spot and stand in line at the high school entrance.
Additional Notes and Reminders
All students will remain under the supervision and care of the school until released to a parent or sent on the bus.
Students able to drive home will be allowed to if the situation warrants. If the HS students are taking siblings, they will be sent to the office for sign out procedures.
All other students not riding the bus as indicated on the early release document filled out in final forms must be signed out by a parent, guardian or authorized representative.
Students who are not picked up or who are unable to proceed home will be kept at the school or at the designated alternative site.
Parents should notify the persons designated as emergency contacts for their children so that they are aware that such authorization has been given.
LOCKDOWN LEVELS
Here's your general reminder regarding lockdowns at school. We have included three different levels of lockdown in our School Emergency Plan. Please take a moment to review the different lockdown levels we may use depending on the situation.
A ONE CALL message will be sent initially regarding the lockdown status and will periodically be sent updating the status of the lockdown. Please do not come to the school until instructed to do so.
Level 1 – secured in building - no admittance to or exit from building
Level 2 – secured in classrooms – no movement in hallways
Level 3 - secured in place – no movement within classroom
WEATHER
SCHOOL CLOSINGS AND DELAYS
The winter season will soon be upon us. Our district administration, faculty, and staff understand that the decision to open or close schools during inclement weather has a big effect on families. We also understand that our students are better served, both academically and socially, by being in school.
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 all relevant factors, such as:
Information on road conditions from transportation staff, adjoining school districts, and from local law enforcement. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the district; they can be treacherous even if your street or roads looks clear.
Amount of snow and/or ice accumulated.
Is the snow and/or ice expected to continue throughout the day.
Temperature and wind chill. Temperature and/or sustained wind chills at or below -15F during peak pick-up times for buses and walking times for students are given special consideration. The weather channel feels like temperature is -15F, we will close school.
Weather predictions from satellite systems, local radar, National Weather and NOAA Weather radio.
The weather’s impact on our bus fleet.
Building conditions (such as whether they have electricity and heat).
Parking lots and sidewalk conditions.
WHO MAKES THE DECISION?
As Superintendent of Schools, I am ultimately responsible for the final decision based on the above factors and recommendations from the Directors of Transportation and Maintenance.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE?
We strive to make the decision to close or delay by 6:00 a.m. In some cases, we can make a decision to close or delay the night before but those are special exceptions as conditions can change or improve significantly over night. Keep in mind that unusual weather conditions may force us to make closing/delay decisions after this time.
WILL WE DELAY THE START OF SCHOOL?
We will utilize 2-Hour delayed starts. The addition of two hours for local township, county, and state workers to improve road conditions can make for drastic improvements. We realize that this can be a burden to some families but if a delayed start of two hours allows for students to attend school, we will utilize this option. If weather is still a concern, we will consider closing by 8:00 a.m. on delay days.
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN?
Even if weather conditions worsen, we cannot reverse our decision in the morning without endangering students. Once we make the decision to open the schools, many parents rely on it and leave for work. If we then send students back home, many will return to unsupervised bus stops and empty houses. If conditions get worse during the school day, we may need to have an early dismissal, but we will give as much notice as possible through ‘ONE CALL’ and the local media and communication outlets mentioned below.
Although our staff and I do our absolute best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If you do not feel that it is safe for your child to get to school, use your best judgment whether or not he or she should attend. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad conditions and offer them alternatives as weather conditions worsen.
HOW ARE AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITES DETERMINED?
There are occasions when school is cancelled and road conditions and/or weather improves enough to have practices and games. Most elementary and junior high events will be cancelled whenever school is cancelled as most students rely upon parents to transport them to their events and the parents may not be home from work to do so. Coaches will notify their players in the high school on whether they have a game or practice and the roads and weather are deemed safe.
HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?
The New Riegel Local Schools will utilize ONE CALL which is an automated phone text alert system. We encourage all families to take advantage of this system as it is the fastest way to communicate school closings, delays, and general information.
The decision to close school is announced on the District Website and through the following media outlets:
TV channels NBC (24), ABC (13), CBS (11).
Radio stations WKXA (100.5 FM), WTTF (1600 AM)
HOW MANY DAYS CAN WE TAKE?
Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, districts changed to an hour-based schedule and as consequence, will no longer have calamity days. Instead, schools may schedule “excess” hours above the minimum number required by the Ohio Department of Education. If the district loses more than seven (7) days of instruction due to weather and emergency closure, days will be made up as follows: one (1) day will be made up on Martin Luther King Jr. Day; the next make up day will be Presidents' Day; any other make up days may be added as work days during summer break. Students will not attend summer break work days. Teachers will complete a work day form on days worked in the summer make up time.
We hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process we use in making the safest possible decision for all students and staff in our district.
David A. Rombach, Superintendent