OG NATION! WINTER WEATHER IS COMING!
A Message from the Superintendent
OG NATION!
Well, it's about that time of year again! As fall begins to transform into the season that shall not be named, and we prepare to turn our clocks back to earn that much-needed extra hour of sleep, I wanted to take a moment to share our approach to school closures, late starts, bus route cancellations, and everything else that comes with trying to predict the never consistent Nebraska weather!
Before we dive in, please know that the information below serves as our general guidelines for making weather-related decisions. We do our best to follow these guidelines consistently, but every storm brings its own challenges. Sometimes, the timing, severity, or unpredictability of a storm requires us to make decisions outside of our normal approach.
1. Attendance on Inclement Weather Days
First and foremost, YOU know your family's situation and road conditions better than anyone!
If you do not feel it is safe to bring your child to school because of poor weather or road conditions, we completely understand. Your child's absence will be considered excused and will not be counted as an unexcused absence. We simply ask that you communicate with your child's school to let us know they will not be attending that day.
2. Country Bus Routes During Inclement Weather
One of the trickier decisions we face during winter weather is determining whether our buses can safely travel our country routes.
For those unfamiliar, these are the routes outside of town that often require our buses to travel on dirt and gravel roads.
Our bus drivers do an outstanding job navigating these routes, but sometimes Mother Nature doesn't exactly cooperate! Mud, snow, ice, and slippery roads can make these routes extremely challenging, especially when rural roads haven't yet been cleared or treated.
In these situations, we will typically cancel our country bus routes while keeping school open as scheduled.
If your child normally rides one of these routes, we ask that you bring your child to school if you are safely able to do so.
Of course, if those roads aren't safe for our buses, we certainly understand that they may not be safe for your vehicle either. Please use your best judgment!
3. How Do We Decide Between a Late Start and Canceling School?
First, we keep a close eye on the weather forecasts.
During potential winter weather events, our district receives updates from the National Weather Service in North Platte. These updates help us understand current weather patterns, expected snow and ice accumulation, wind conditions, and the timing of approaching storms.
Second, we communicate with our local roads department. We work to gather information about road conditions, including which roads have been treated, which areas may be experiencing hazardous conditions, and what road crews are anticipating.
Third, and perhaps one of the biggest factors, is TIMING! Not only do we need our roads to be safe for travel, but we also need our parking lots, sidewalks, and school entrances to be safe for students, staff, and families. Sometimes, a storm rolls through at the worst possible time, leaving our crews very little opportunity to clear snow and ice before everyone arrives at school.
So, when can families expect a decision?
In a perfect world, we would love to have our decision communicated by 8:00 PM the evening before a potential weather event. This gives families time to plan and make any necessary arrangements.
However, as we all know, weather forecasts don't always cooperate!
Sometimes we're right on the edge of a storm, and a small shift in the weather pattern can make the difference between getting a dusting of snow and getting several inches.
When conditions are too uncertain to make a confident decision the evening before, we may need to wait until the following morning. In those circumstances, our goal is to communicate a decision by 6:00 AM.
We know last-minute changes can be challenging for families, and we certainly don't take these decisions lightly.
A late start can sometimes give road crews and our custodial team the additional time needed to make travel and school grounds safer. Other times, the conditions simply don't allow us to safely hold school.
Every storm is different, and we do our very best to make the most informed decision possible!
4. How COLD Is Too Cold? Would We Really Cancel School Because It's Too Chilly?
You bet we would! But we're not talking about your typical Nebraska morning when it's 10 degrees outside and your nose hairs freeze the second you step out the door!
We're talking about EXTREME cold!
Our district's general guideline is that if the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Cold Warning for our area during the hours of 6:00 AM–10:00 AM, we will cancel school.
For reference, an Extreme Cold Warning in our area generally involves dangerously cold wind chills around -30°F or colder.
Why would we cancel school simply because it's cold?
There are two major reasons:
1. Our buses don't particularly enjoy extreme cold either!
When temperatures get dangerously low, diesel buses can experience mechanical problems, including fuel gelling and difficulty starting or operating properly.
The last thing we want is a bus full of students stranded along a road in dangerously cold temperatures because of a mechanical failure.
2. We have students who walk to school!
Many of our students walk to and from school each day. When temperatures and wind chills become dangerously cold, even a relatively short walk can present significant safety concerns.
Ultimately, this decision comes down to protecting our students and staff from dangerous conditions.
5. Cold Weather and Recess
As a district, we try to avoid indoor recess whenever reasonably possible.
Why? Because kids need to MOVE!
Our students spend a significant portion of their day learning, thinking, listening, and working hard in their classrooms. Recess provides a much-needed opportunity to run, play, burn off energy, and enjoy some fresh air.
Please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for winter weather. Coats, gloves, hats, and other warm clothing make a big difference in helping students enjoy their time outside. Of course, when temperatures or conditions become unsafe, we will move recess indoors. We want students getting outside whenever possible, but we certainly don't need anyone turning into a human popsicle!
6. How Will We Let You Know?
First, our district text message and phone call alert system!
This will be our FIRST method of communication whenever we make decisions regarding school closures, late starts, or bus route cancellations.
Please make sure you're signed up to receive our district alerts! If you're unsure whether you're receiving these notifications, simply contact your child's school, and we'll be happy to help get things squared away.
Second, our social media pages!
We will also post weather-related announcements on our district's social media pages to help spread the word.
And, if you've followed us for a while, you know these announcements occasionally come with some questionable entertainment, cheesy humor, or my best attempt at making a snow day announcement a little more exciting than it probably needs to be!
Please know that we take these decisions seriously, communicate with the appropriate experts, and do our very best to balance student safety, family needs, and the importance of keeping our kids in school and learning.
We also recognize that no two families have the same circumstances. That's why your judgment as a parent is so important, especially when it comes to deciding whether travel is safe for your family.
Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, and understanding as we prepare for another Nebraska winter!
Stay warm, stay safe, and GO BIG O!
Dr. Gene Russel
Superintendent
Ogallala Public Schools
Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Confidence