Q: How is the decision made to cancel school due to inclement weather? View Answer
Answer: As early as 2:30 a.m. on the morning of a snowfall or ice storm the assistant superintendent of administrative services contacts a group of individuals who drive throughout the district to test the roads. Even if the roads are initially satisfactory, the drivers may make several trips if snow continues to fall, or if the weather continues to deteriorate.
By 5 a.m. the superintendent of schools must make a decision about school cancelations so bus drivers and media can be notified. Prior to that time, the drivers keep in contact and give regular updates regarding road conditions. The superintendent considers several factors in making the final decision: weather predictions, highway department preparedness, time of day, wind-chill factor, as well as the driver's reports. Q: Where can parents find information about school closings? View Answer
Answer: School closings, or early school dismissal, will be announced on the Rockwood website at www.rockwood.k12.mo.us as soon as the decision is made. The superintendent will send an AlertNow voice message to Rockwood parents informing them of the decision to cancel classes.
The successful delivery of information is dependent upon two things:
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Accurate contact information for each student. If your contact information changes, please notify the school registrar immediately.
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Technology requirements and answering machine settings. Be sure to say "Hello" when you answer the phone. The technology must hear a voice to begin the delivery of the message.
In addition, parents can find accurate information about district school closings on Rockwood's social media websites - F acebook (RockwoodSchools) and Twitter ( @RockwoodSchools) as well as on the following radio and television stations:
- KMOX 1120 (AM)
- KTRS 550 (AM)
- KTVI Channel 2/11
- KMOV Channel 4
- KSDK Channel 5
Q: What if bad weather arrives when children are in school? View Answer
Answer:
If severe weather strikes while students are in school, a decision to close school for the remainder of the day may be made. Activating the transportation system due to inclement weather takes time. School principals, First Student and Go-Ahead bus services will be contacted immediately. Transporting students safely will require carefully planned dismissal procedures.
- Elementary students who walk or ride buses will be dismissed as per the instructions provided by parents for an early inclement dismissal situation. View the district's emergency dismissal form.
- Students will be released as soon as individual First Student and Go-Ahead buses are available at their school.
- Buses will load students according to the normal dismissal order.
- All students picked up by parents may leave school as soon as parents arrive.
Q: Will all after-school activities for students be canceled if school is closed? View Answer
Answer: Typically, activities will be canceled when school has been closed all day or closed early. Please check the district website, or your school's website, for specific information.
Q: What can parents do to help their students and schools prepare? View Answer
Answer:
- Make sure that the instructions on your emergency dismissal form are current.
- Contact your childcare facility, if necessary, to find out what their procedures are for inclement weather.
- Review the information you have listed as emergency contacts and make sure that the numbers are updated, either through Infinite Campus or with your building registrar.
- Make plans ahead of time and communicate them with your children so they understand what to expect during an early school dismissal due to inclement weather.
- Understand that school closings are for the safety of children throughout the district. While the condition of your neighborhood streets may be fine, other areas of the district may be experiencing harsher weather.
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