Winter Weather Procedure Annual Reminder 2022-2023
Please note that when it is snowy/wintry outside, the buses will run slower than usual and may run late. Please do not call the school to let us know the bus is running late; we know, and it should be. On wintry days, buses do leave early; road conditions dictate how the routes go from there. We will pick up/drop off your children. Below is the winter weather procedure. Thank you.
Tis the season! Because of the uncertainty of the rural conditions during the winter months, 2 hour delay, snow closure, and emergency bus route procedures have been established. When poor conditions exist, the buses will run on paved and plowed roads only because these roads are first plowed and maintained during snowy conditions. When implemented, emergency bus route status will be in effect for all bus routes in the Oakesdale-Farmington School District for both morning and after school routes.
All bus routes are driven in the early morning hours before 5:30 am and again before the end of school to determine the safest procedures.
ANYTIME WEATHER IS BAD-Understand that it takes buses longer to travel when weather and/or road conditions are poor. Bus drivers have a large responsibility to safely transport our students and are required to use extreme caution. Bus drivers will determine if some roads are passable, and if not the school or bus garage will be in contact with you. Also, understand that when weather and/or road conditions are poor, it is likely that the bus will be running late. Be patient with this as it is in the interest of the safety of the students. Please do not call and complain about this.
TWO HOURS LATE –PAVED & PLOWED ROADS ONLY: Buses will not operate on gravel roads, or on any roads that are not safely passable by school buses. Two hour delays CAN turn into cancellation if conditions do not improve. The school website (www.gonighthawsk.net), mass phone call/email/texts, social media, and media will notify you of this. The website is the best and most accurate source of information.
AFTER SCHOOL –PAVED AND PLOWED ROADS ONLY: Buses will not operate on gravel roads, or on any roads that are not safely passable by school buses.
SNOW DAY-SCHOOL CANCELLATION: Every effort is made to get students to school and not cancel school. On occasion, the weather is too poor for buses to travel. School cancellation will be communicated on the website at www.gonighthawks.net, the district app, through the mass phone/text/emails, social media, and through radio and television news. Decisions to close schools are often difficult to get right; roads are driven in the early hours of the morning so decisions can be made for the morning bus routes. Please be patient and understand it is the intention of the school district to get the children to school safely. Snow day school cancellation is a last option.
AFTER PRACTICE ACTIVITY ROUTE will run as normal on 2 hour late days. However, practice and other after school events will be canceled if we close school during the day or if it is decided by 3:00PM. that the roads will not be safe that afternoon and/or evening. If there are any events scheduled on a snow day, those events are also canceled
.EMERGENCY CLOSURES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY-EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO NOT CANCEL SCHOOL DURING THE DAY
The mass phone/text/email system, social media, website, and app will notify parents of the emergency closing of school.
Children will be released and transported to their home as usual. High school students who drove themselves to school will be allowed to drive home unless a parent contacts the school and specifically requests that they not drive and ride the bus.
If your child needs to be taken to a location other than their regular drop-off, please contact the school immediately. If no one is present to release the child at their stop, the student will be held and returned to the school.
IF YOU HEAR NO ANNOUNCEMENT, THAT MEANS SCHOOL AS USUAL. Please do not assume that since other area schools are delaying or canceling school that we are. Always check the school website first and please listen or watch for the Oakesdale School District when waiting for delay or cancellation announcements.
Below are a few reminders related to days with bad weather,
Decisions related to delaying school or closing school are difficult and are not taken lightly.
Student safety is the primary concern, which is why there are often limited bus routes.
Remember, geographically, the district is large and conditions can vary from one end to the other.
If you do not feel it is safe for your child to ride the bus or drive their car, then do not send them to school-that absence will be excused.
High school students that drive on a normal basis, do not have to drive when the weather is bad. The bus is always an option.
Here’s to a safe winter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jake Dingman
Superintendent of Schools