We understand that our students are better served, both academically and socially, by being in school.
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority in making a decision to keep school open or to close school in bad weather.
How Do We Make Our Decision? We make the decision to open or closeschool in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:
- Information on road conditions. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the area.
- Amount of snow and ice accumulated
- Whether or not snow/ice is continuing
- School building conditions (whether we have electricity, water and heat)
- Parking lot conditions: Administrators confer with Greg Bishop and Sho-Ron Graham who are responsible for clearing and treating school parking lots and sidewalks.
- Temperature and wind chill: Some of our students walk to school and some must wait outside for the bus.
- Weather predictions: We prefer not to make our decision based on weather predictions, (which are not always accurate) however, sometimes we must rely on them in conjunction with other criteria.
- What other school districts are doing: When feasible, we make our decision following consultation with other school districts.
Who Makes The Decision? Mr. Tyron D. Hurd and Mrs. Theresa Ellis-Liddell will make the final decision, based on the above factors.
How Are Parents Notified? There are multiple ways to find out if our schoolis closed.
- Tune in to local radio:
WWJ 950 AM
WJR 760 AM - Tune in to local television stations or the “School Closings” link on its websites:
NBC (WDIV) Channel 4 www.clickondetroit.com
ABC (WXYZ) Channel 7 www.wxyz.com
FOX 2 Detroit www.myfoxdetroit.com - Via School Messenger (text, phone calls and emails) and the Academy’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
- It is also important that we have your current emergency contact information, including home, cell and work phone numbers as well as email address. Please take time to update that information by contacting Mrs. Brown [email protected] or Mrs. Gardner [email protected] as soon as possible.
WHEN IS THE DECISION MADE? Usually, the decision to close school is made at the earliest possible time or earlier so we can notify radio and TV stations. It is our goal to notify you via School Messenger text and phone calls and emails. IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTACT TYRON HURD OR SHARISSE SPENCER TO NOTIFY US EACH TIME YOUR CONTACT NUMBER CHANGES.
WILL WE CLOSE SCHOOL IF CONDITIONS WORSEN? If weather conditions worsen, we cannot reverse our decision in the morning without endangering students. Once we make the decision to have school, many parents rely on that decision and leave for work. If we then send students right back home, many will return to unsupervised bus stops and empty houses.
ARE THERE SNOW DAYS BUILT INTO THE CALENDAR? The Academy does NOT build snow days into the calendar. The State of Michigan does allow the equivalent of six days for emergency closing of schools. Therefore, if the schoolcloses due to weather or other emergencies for more than the equivalent of six school days, the district would have to determine how to make up those schooldays. You will receive information on the plan once completed and approved by the State or its designee.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: We ask parents to do all they can to dress students appropriately for the conditions, especially students who walk to school or ride the bus.
PARENT DECISION: Although we do our best in this process, we know that often no perfect decision exists. If parents feel as though it is not safe for their child to attend school, please know that they always have the option of keeping their child at home.
If you have questions or comments, please email me at [email protected].
Respectfully,
Tyron D. Hurd