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News Bulletin
SEVERE WEATHER PREPAREDNESS
While the corporation does not have an official written policy defining protocol for weather-related situations, we want to share with you guidelines and considerations we use when determining how to proceed in the event of inclement weather:
FORECAST - Administration watches closely for threatening weather conditions in order to prepare families and staff for schedule alterations in as timely a manner as possible. Frigid temperatures create very difficult conditions. If buses can run, it is possible we may not delay school for cold weather.
Equally as important, we would not delay unless the temperature will significantly improve during those two hours being delayed. As wind chill temperatures reach approximately -20 degrees, administration considers temperature in combination with other evident factors when determining potential action.
ROADS - The Superintendent or an appropriate designee drives neighborhood streets and rural areas of the school district including county roads during pre-dawn hours assessing conditions. It is important to note that PCSC is less rural than many local districts where roads cannot be cleared as efficiently for safe travel.
COLLABORATION - Superintendents of local schools participate in conference calling to collaborate on determining appropriate actions to be taken resulting from inclement weather. Town officials are often consulted regarding weather-related actions of town or county governing bodies.
BUSES/WALKING ZONES - PCSC is fortunate to have walking areas that are smaller than many other school districts. We appreciate the many neighbors who have stepped in to assist other parents by providing shelter in waiting cars or homes located closest to the bus stops. This support of each other is another indication of the integrity of our community.
Additionally, our transportation department does an excellent job of maintaining our buses for safe and warm transport. Each bus has a built-in block heater that warms the bus overnight allowing the engine to start easier in cold weather.
The following recommendations are suggested for inclement weather preparedness:
#1 BE ALERT FOR DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS
- Local television stations - WTHR 13, WRTV 6, WISH 8, and FOX 59
- PCSC website and social media - Each school homepage on the district website displays a "stoplight" with current status of operations. Posts are also made to Twitter & Facebook accounts.
- School Messenger - Administrators use SchoolMessenger to send an email, voice message, or both when communicating alternate schedules and cancellations. Changes due to weather will generally be communicated prior to 6:30am. Contact information is drawn from PowerSchool. *In order to receive an email and/or phone call, it is crucial that we have your correct contact information. Please remember to notify the school office if your phone number or e-mail address changes.
- Early Release - In the case of early dismissal due to inclement weather, the school utilizes information parents submitted at the beginning of the school year to determine how and where to transport students. An announcement is sent viaSchoolMessenger.
#2 DRESS YOUR CHILD APPROPRIATELY FOR WEATHER CONDITIONS
- Temperatures before school and during recess can be rather frigid. School policy states, "Students will go outside to recess unless the temperature is below 21 degrees and/or there is a severe wind chill below 0."
- If your child rides a school bus, keep your child in the house until you see the bus arriving, or wait in a warm vehicle at the bus stop until the bus arrives. Utilize friends, neighbors, carpool drivers, etc., to aid in taking the extra care to prepare for hazards of the weather but still get your child to school on time.
#3 PRE-ARRANGE CHILDCARE
- Scheduling for child care is a big task. Please pre-arrange your childcare needs so that you have a plan in place for cases of school delay or cancellation. Many times, communications cannot be made until early morning.
While the recommendation to delay or cancel school comes from the corporation, please be advised that the decision to keep your child home ultimately rests with the parent/guardian.
Thank you for working with us during these adverse conditions.
Plainfield Community School Corporation
Email: pcscmessenger@plainfield.k12.in.us
Website: www.plainfield.k12.in.us
Location: Plainfield Community School Superintendent, 985 Longfellow Drive, Plainfield, IN, United States
Phone: 317-839-2578
Facebook: facebook.com/pcscquakers
Twitter: @pcscquakers