Emergency Procedures

We are committed to student and staff safety in our schools and district buildings. We continually evaluate school safety procedures and protocols, while working to be as transparent as possible.

Contact

Napoleon Genereux
Security and Emergency Preparedness
651-425-6294
ngenereu@sowashco.org

Winter Weather Plan

South Washington County Schools (SoWashCo) evaluates several factors before choosing to shift to distance learning, close school or cancel activities due to hazardous winter weather. SoWashCo consults with a variety of internal and external experts in order to make the best decision for students, staff and families.

There may be some rare winter storms that require SoWashCo to enter into a Winter Weather Closure (emergency closure). An emergency closure means all learning activities are canceled and district buildings are closed due to hazardous winter weather.

SoWashCo continually monitors the forecast from the National Weather Service in order to make the best decision for students. Additionally, dismissing students early or delaying the start of the school day is not logistically possible.

Distance Learning Day (due to winter weather)

DIstance learning day

SoWashCo Schools may shift to distance learning due to wind chill, snow, ice, hazardous roads or other inclement weather conditions.

CRiteria

The decision to shift to distance learning will be made by 5 a.m. the morning of a cancellation. Depending on forecast certainty, the decision may be made the evening before a cancellation.
Snowy Weather: Students will shift to distance learning due to snow, ice or hazardous road conditions that make it extremely hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes.
Cold Weather: Students will shift to distance learning if the expected forecast for 6 a.m. shows that the wind chill will be -35 Fahrenheit* or colder.

CANCELLATIONS

Before- and after-school programs and extra-curricular activities
In-person school events (field trips, open houses, conferences, etc.)
Community Education after-school youth classes and programs. Visit commed.sowashco.org for more information.
Family engagement activities
Athletics practices and activities
- Games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach.
School and curbside meal service
Essential care

Distance learning

The following will enter into distance learning.

Classes for all K-12 schools
Preschool and Pre-K
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes and programs
Non-traditional programs (Next Step, ACCESS, Pathways, etc.)

INDEPendent decisions

Some SoWashCo programs or activities are decided on an individual basis. Please check with the organizer for more information.

Kids Club (only available to families who pre-registered on days in which schools are closed for cold weather)
Community Education evening classes and programs (Adult Basic Education, senior center activities, etc.). Contact your specific program or visit commed.sowashco.org.
Athletics games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach. Athletics practices and activities are canceled.
Rental agreements held by outside organizations for meetings and activities in a SoWashCo building will be canceled due to snowy weather and may continue during cold weather. Contact the rental organizer with questions.

Winter Weather Closure (emergency closure)

Winter Weather Closure

SoWashCo Schools may close all district buildings and may cancel schools, programs and all learning activities due to wind chill, snow, ice, hazardous roads or other inclement weather conditions.

CRITERIA

The decision to shift to distance learning will be made by 5 a.m. the morning of a cancellation. Depending on forecast certainty, the decision may be made the evening before a cancellation.

SNOWY WEATHER: Schools and programs will be canceled due to snow, ice or hazardous road conditions that make it extremely hazardous or impossible for school buses to travel their routes.
INCLEMENT WEATHER: Schools and programs will be canceled due to cold or other inclement weather as determined by the superintendent.

independent decisions

Some SoWashCo programs or activities are decided on an individual basis. Please check with the organizer for more information.

Athletics games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach. Athletics practices and activities are canceled.

winter weather cancellations

Classes and programs at all K-12 schools
Preschool and Pre-K
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classes and home visits
- Non-traditional programs (Next Step, ACCESS, etc.)
- Before- and after-school programs and extra-curricular activities
- School events (field trips, open houses, conferences, etc.)
- Athletics practices and activities are canceled. Games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach.
Community Education classes and activities. Visit commed.sowashco.org for more information.
Kids Club
Evening classes and programs (Adult Basic Education, senior center activities, etc.)
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
After-school youth classes and programs
- Family engagement activities
School and curbside meal service
Essential care
Rental agreements held by outside organizations for meetings and activities in a SoWashCo building will be canceled. Contact the rental organizer with questions.

Canceling After-School Activities

SoWashCo Schools may choose to cancel after-school events and activities due to snow, ice or hazardous weather conditions that are expected to worsen throughout the school day. Afternoon preschool, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) classes and the regular school day will continue as usual.

The decision to cancel after-school activities will be made by 12 noon on the day of cancellation.

After-school weather cancellations

After-school programs and extra-curricular activities
- In-person after-school events (field trips, open houses, conferences, etc.)
In-person home visits
- Athletics practices and activities are canceled. Games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach.
- In-person Community Education classes and activities. Visit ce.sowashco.org for more information.
  - Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
  - Youth classes and programs
  - Adult classes and programs (Adult Basic Education, senior center activities, etc.)
Family engagement activities
Rental agreements held by outside organizations for meetings and activities in a SoWashCo building are canceled. Contact the organizer with questions.

independent decisions

Some SoWashCo programs or activities are decided on an individual basis. Please check with the organizer for more information.

Kids Club will remain open until 6 p.m. and families are encouraged to pick up as soon as possible
Athletics games and competitions are decided on an individual basis. Please check with your athletics coach. Athletics practices and activities are canceled.

Recess

Recess will be held indoors when the air temperature is zero degrees or colder, or the wind chill is expected to be colder than -10 degrees below zero.

SoWashCo Schools uses the National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill chart to determine whether recess will be held outside. Wind chill is the temperature it feels like on your skin when the wind is blowing. The stronger the wind, the colder it feels.

As you can see in the chart below, if the temperature is 10 degrees above zero with winds of 15 miles per hour, the wind chill would be -7 degrees. This would allow recess to continue outside safely. However, if the temperature is 0 degrees with a 5 mph wind, the wind chill would be -11 degrees, requiring recess to be held indoors.

Please dress students appropriately for all winter weather.

Clothing Guidelines

Families are encouraged to monitor their children’s clothing selections to make sure they are appropriately dressed for cold weather. Students who do not have the appropriate winter clothing will not be able to participate in outdoor recess.

“Feels Like” Temperature	Clothing to Wear
Under 15 degrees	Dress in layers Long-sleeved shirt Sweatshirt or sweater Heavy winter coat Wool or thick socks Gloves Winter headwear and/or earmuffs Snow boots
15-30 degrees	Long-sleeved shirt Sweatshirt or sweater Heavy winter coat Wool or thick socks Gloves Winter headwear and/or earmuffs Snow boots
30-40 degrees	Long-sleeved shirt Winter coat or heavy jacket Thick socks Gloves Winter headwear and/or earmuffs Closed shoes or boots
41-65 degrees	Jacket Closed shoes
Above 65 degrees	Parent's choice

Wind Chill Chart

SoWashCo Schools uses the National Weather Service (NWS) wind chill chart to determine whether to cancel school or make adjustments to outdoor recess. Wind chill is the temperature it feels like on your skin when the wind is blowing. The stronger the wind, the colder it feels.

For example, if the temperature is -20 degrees with winds of 10 miles per hour, the wind chill would be -41 degrees.

TIP (Tip and Information Portal)

Students are often aware of situations before adults and they can make positive impacts in our school community. But sometimes, they just need a safe and easy way to report issues without fear of embarrassment or retaliation.

SoWashCo Schools launched a new Tip and Information Portal, or T.I.P., a confidential way for secondary students to report issues, concerns and other important information about school. Report an issue through T.I.P.

Submitted tips can include topics such as academic concerns, alcohol or drug use, bullying, discrimination, mental health concerns, parking issues, potential violence and more.

All tips are taken seriously and will be reviewed throughout the school week. It is important to know that T.I.P. is not a replacement for emergency services. If there is immediate danger, please call 911.

How to Use TIP

How to Use TIP

Access the T.I.P. form.
Simply fill out the form, including what happened, where the incident occurred, who was involved and any other details you can provide.
The more information you provide, the better we can address the situation.
If needed, you may attach a photo or video.
You may choose to provide your name and contact information to help staff to respond to the situation.

Safety Drills

The goal of a safety drill is to show students and staff what needs to be done in an emergency.

Required Drills

Required Drills

Safety Protocols

SoWashCo Schools uses the Standard Safety Response Protocol which is based on five actions for safety. Students and staff are trained on these procedures and practice drills throughout the school year.

Protocols

Protocols

secure

When to use it – If there is something happening outside the school that we don’t want to come inside. This could be criminal or police activity or a wild animal.
What you hear – Secure! Get inside. Lock outside doors.
What you do – Bring everyone indoors, lock outside doors, increase situational awareness and take attendance. Once those are complete, the school day continues as usual.

Evacuate

When to use it – If people need to move from one place to another, either inside or outside the school. This could be for a gas leak, a chemical spill, or a fire.
What you hear – Evacuate! [Then the location to go]. An Evacuation could also be signaled by a fire alarm.
What you do – Leave stuff behind, lead the evacuation to the location, take attendance, then notify school admin of extra or missing students

hold

When to use it – If there is a situation where it is helpful to have people out of the hallways. This could be for a fight, an unregulated student, or a medical emergency.
What you hear – Hold! In your classroom. Clear the halls.
What you do – Students and staff return to their classrooms, shut and lock the door, take attendance, and then do business as usual within the classroom. Even if passing time occurs, there is no movement until the Hold is cleared.

lockdown

When to use it – If there is something inside the school where we need to protect people. This could be a trespasser, a parent custody dispute, or a violent person.
What you hear – Lockdown! Locks, lights, out of sight.
What you do – Lock and close the classroom door, turn off the lights, move away from sight, maintain silence, and take attendance if appropriate and safe. Do not open the door unless an “all clear” is given.

shelter

When to use it – If there is a need for protection from a hazard while staying inside the school. This could be a tornado or severe weather.
What you hear – Shelter! [Then the hazard type and where to go]
What you do – Leave stuff behind, lead the safety strategy (for example, go to shelter areas and sit quietly), take attendance, then notify school admin of extra or missing students.

Main Menu

Quicklinks

In This Section

Emergency Procedures

Contact

Winter Weather Plan

Distance Learning Day (due to winter weather)

DIstance learning day

CRiteria

CANCELLATIONS

Distance learning

INDEPendent decisions

Winter Weather Closure (emergency closure)

Winter Weather Closure

CRITERIA

independent decisions

winter weather cancellations

Canceling After-School Activities

After-school weather cancellations

independent decisions

Recess

Clothing Guidelines

Wind Chill Chart

TIP (Tip and Information Portal)

How to Use TIP

Safety Drills

Required Drills

Safety Protocols

Protocols

secure

Evacuate

hold

lockdown

shelter