Parents of school-age youngsters should be well acquainted with how the threat of tornadoes and severe weather this spring causes schools and daycare centers in the metro area to alter their dismissal or arrival times.
Nathan Glenn of Jackson and his wife, like many other parents, most recently juggled their schedules when the school their elementary-age sons attend started later than usual.
“Unfortunately, you have to make an adjustment at the last minute,” he said. “Luckily, my wife and I work for ourselves, so it’s a little bit easier for us. The last time we had a severe weather event they postponed the start of school for two hours.”
Spring weather has caused more concern than winter weather this year, said Kevin Lewis, head of school at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, which has campuses in Jackson and Ridgeland,
“This year we have had fewer ice and snow days than last year but more tornado warnings and severe storms to be concerned about,” he said.
Most school districts rely on the recommendations of their local emergency management directors and the National Weather Service, with each district determining whether schools remain open or closed, delay the start time or dismiss early. Parents receive the news about school closings via text message, automated phone calls, email blasts, social media postings, website alerts and from traditional channels such as television newscasts.
Stephen McCraney, executive director of the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, said factors considered go beyond housing students during severe weather but include transportation and the risk of transporting students during severe weather.
Madison County Superintendent Charlotte Seals considers safety the No. 1 goal when it comes to making weather decisions and then ensuring teaching and learning are affected as little as possible.
“We understand that changing schedules or moving to distance learning can be disruptive to families, and we do our best to consider numerous factors while always keeping safety top of mind,” she said. “Sometimes people forget that our district is 40 miles from north to south and 40 miles from east to west, so we cover a lot of ground.
“Our school buses run in very rural areas as well as more populated areas,” she said. “When it comes to icy roads, we aren’t just looking at major thoroughfares that may be salted or sanded, but we also consider all the county roads that may be treacherous for buses or cars. In the event of tornadoes or high winds it can be extremely dangerous for buses to run in those conditions, so we take care especially if weather is coming in around the start of the school day or dismissal time.”
The decision about what to do when severe weather threatens is ultimately hers, Seals said, but it is made in consultation with MEMA and assistant superintendents who oversee transportation and operations.
At Jackson Academy, administrators observe National Weather Service and local news weather reports, confer with area schools, and if necessary, consult with local meteorologists, said Patti Wade, director of marketing and communications at JA.
The timing, severity and duration of weather conditions are taken into consideration, she said. So are factors such as if the weather will be hazardous during carpool times, a short portion of the day or the entire day.
Members of the Jackson Academy Emergency Management Team assess the situation and make recommendations, and the head of school makes the ultimate decision about what to do, Wade said.
St. Andrew’s administrators, like those at JA, monitor weather conditions and work together to decide what to do.
“We consider myriad things when making a decision,” Lewis said. “For example, whether storms will be hitting during carpool when students have to walk outside and the road conditions for young drivers.
At Madison-Ridgeland Academy, the head of school and building principals evaluate the forecast, the potential level of impact and the forecasted timing of the event, said Martha Maxey, director of advancement at MRA.
“As always, the safety and well-being of the MRA Family is at the center of our decision making,” he said.
At Jackson Prep, if a weather incident is expected during a commute time the school’s executive leadership team will consider the severity of the predicted weather and where students and families will be and communicate any change via the school’s texting service, emails and social media accounts, said Crisler M. Boone, chief external affairs officer at Prep.
The coronavirus pandemic caused many school districts to turn to virtual learning and that’s an option some choose during severe weather days.
“I think the virtual classrooms have equipped students and schools with the ability to work and learn from home, thereby reducing the liability of transportation and keeping students safe at school,” McCraney said.
The real impact, he said, is on working families and the cost of finding childcare when schools close on short notice.
Each weather event is different, Seals said, which requires the district to tailor its response to each one and the information available about it.
“As a result of our experiences during the pandemic, however, we now have the added option of distance learning days along with delayed start, early dismissal or cancellation,” she said. “Our goal is definitely to engage in high quality teaching and learning as much as is possible, so we take great care in making decisions that impact the school day. But again, safety is paramount, so it is always a balance trying to do what is right for everyone involved.”
Weather forecasts seem more precise with new technology, helping schools know more clearly the timing and expected severity of weather incidents, Wade said.
For example, years ago during ice threats, an administrator might get out on the road early and check area roads to see how much ice was present to determine whether it was safe for families to travel to school, she said. Today, technology and more accessible information provide that answer in many cases, she said.
McRaney recommends that parents take time to educate their children, who may be at home alone during severe weather, about where they should go in their home to ride out a tornado and other bad weather.
