It is the time of year when snow and/or ice can cause school closings or delays based on the safety of transporting our students. With that in mind, please be sure that the emergency closing information that you provided in the beginning of the school year is still current.
Be sure that your child knows what the plan is should there be an emergency closing day. It is not possible for the front office to call over 700 children's families to ask how a child should go home. Every child must have a current and valid Emergency Closing Plan. In the event of an early closing, the school must close as quickly as possible and the school staff, including the front office, is not able to provide child care until a parent arrives. If any of your child’s Emergency Closing information has changed, please provide that information to your Family File and the school ASAP so that your child will be dismissed on time and properly. If the forecast indicates that there might be inclement weather during any school day, be sure to keep tuned to radio or TV for information and check your emails and text messages for an HCPSS News Bulletin about school closings.
When there is a delayed opening, the Before Care program is also delayed for the same amount of time. Please do not drop off students at the regular time on a late opening day because there is no one at school to supervise them. On a late opening day, staff does not arrive at their regular time Grade Special Activity Kindergarten 12:05-1:05 First 9:00-10:00 Second 1:15-2:15 Third 11:00-12:00 Fourth 10:05-11:05 Fifth 10:45-11:45 and when they do arrive, they are engaged in professional duties and cannot provide childcare services. Each family should have a plan for how they will manage their children arriving to school one, one and a half or two hours later than usual on a delayed opening day.
It’s also a good time for a reminder about recess. The HCPSS Wellness Policy and good common sense remind us that outdoor exercise is a healthy and important part of each day. It provides a break from the classroom routines, a chance to get some outside air and an opportunity to run off excess energy which revitalizes children and physically prepares them for additional sitting and academic learning throughout the day.
Children should come to school prepared for outdoor recess every day and wear clothing that considers the season and outdoor conditions. There are various factors that determine if recess is to be indoors or outdoors on any given day, however, it should be assumed that students will be outside for recess when the temperature combined with the wind chill is not less than 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the same guideline that has been used throughout the county for many years. Special health or medical conditions that must regard outdoor conditions are always managed appropriately through the Health Room. We greatly appreciate your help and cooperation in providing a safe and healthy environment for our students in every way.