VCPS shares winter weather policy
Valley City Public School Superintendent Johnson shared the following reminder on school winter weather policy information with students, family and friends...
With some snow on the ground from this past weekend, we feel it is finally time to share our 2021-2022 Winter Weather Plan. Please read the “Winter Weather Plan,” in this story with information also available on our website at www.hiliners.org.
Phone Alert System and Storm Homes
If you do not receive calls from us on our Alert Phone System and would like to be added, please contact Haley Olsen via email haley.olsen@k12.nd.us or by phone at 701.845.0483. At the beginning of the school year, parents/guardians provided the school with student information for PowerSchool. Please use this as a reminder to discuss storm homes with your family and if you would like to verify or make changes to this information, please contact your child’s school office at Jefferson, Washington, or Junior/Senior High.
Make-up Days v. Distance Learning days
This year some school districts have chosen to use distance learning days in place of making up school for weather cancellations. Initially, we will not be using distance learning days and have identified two make-up days on our calendar (May 27 and March 18) in addition to the one “grace” day that we can use for school cancellations. If we would happen to use all three of these days because of weather, we will consider using distance learning days for the 4th, 5th, etc.. days of cancelled school.
VCPS 2021-22 Winter Weather Plan
The winter weather plan will provide information for students, staff, parents/ guardians in preparation for school cancellations and/ or delays during the school year.
How do we make decisions to cancel or delay school?
Valley City Public Schools will make weather-related decisions based upon the following factors:
* Temperatures/WindChill (current and/or expected)
* Snow Totals (current and/or expected)
* Forecasted Duration of the Inclement Weather
* Visibility Conditions
(current and/or expected)
* Road Conditions (current and/or expected)
* Alerts from the National Weather Service
In addition to these factors, Valley City Public Schools may also be advised on winter weather conditions from any of the following organizations: City of Valley City, Barnes County Sheriff’s Department, Highway Patrol, North Dakota Department of Transportation, and the National Weather Service.
When and how will you be notified of a delay or cancellation?
A decision will be made no later than 6:30 AM if school will be cancelled or delayed for that school day. In situations when school is dismissed early due to weather, an announcement will be made at least one hour prior to dismissal.
Information regarding school cancellations or delays will be sent to staff and parents/guardians using the Phone Alert System. In addition, announcements will also be made using the following systems:
* Staff and Parent Email Listservs
* Social Media (including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram)
* Media: Valley City Times-Record and KOVC 1490 AM or 96.3 FM
* Television @ WDAY, KVRR, and KVLY
How will we know when school begins if school is delayed?
It may be necessary to delay the start of school due to winter weather. If this decision is made, a modified scheduled will be followed for the school day:
1) One Hour DelaySchool starts at 9:30 AM for Grades 7-12, 9:40 AM for Grades K-6. Bus pick up time for bus students will be 1 hour later than their normal pick up time (ex. 7:30 AM Normal – 8:30 AM One-hour Delay)
2) Two Hours DelaySchool starts at 10:30 AM for Grades 7-12, 10:40 AM for Grades K-6. Bus pick up time for bus students will be 2 hours later than their normal pick up time (ex. 7:30 AM Normal – 9:30 AM Two-hour Delay)
The district will NOT serve breakfast on late start to school days. The Junior/Senior High modified class schedule will be communicated via email with students, staff, and parents/guardians.
When will we know if Activities have been cancelled or rescheduled?
All decisions related to the cancellation or postponement of school activities due to the weather will be made as soon as possible and communicated to students, coaches, and parents/guardians. If school is cancelled or dismissed early due to the weather conditions, there will be no after school activities (including practices). If school is delayed due to weather conditions, there will be no early morning school activities (including practices).
Please read this important information regarding our winter weather plan
* Parents have the right to keep children at home if they feel the weather conditions are not safe for travel. There will be no penalty to grades or attendance if that decision is made. Parents may also pick up students early from school as necessary following the same expectations.
* If necessary, the use of storm homes may be used for students that are unable to make it home due to the weather conditions.
If you would like your child to have a storm home designated in our student information system, please contact the administrative assistant at your student’s school.
* Parent permission is required in order for high school students to be released from school early so they can drive home. Parents must call the high school office and the students must sign out of the office before they leave for the day.
Please contact the district office at 701.845.0483 and/or school superintendent Josh Johnson at josh. johnson@k12.nd.us if you have any questions regarding the winter weather plan. Our priority in making weatherrelated school decisions will always be the safety of our students and staff at Valley City Public Schools.