Inclement Weather Policy
On mornings when weather is questionable due to snow, ice, and/or low temperatures, Herron Classical Schools (HCS) will use all available information to assess the situation and make a decision about the day as early as possible that supports the safety of its families, faculty, and staff.
Decision-Making Process
● At 5:00 a.m. conditions shall be assessed by both the Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Director of Transportation, supported by the Transportation Manager.
● By 5:15 a.m. the COO calls the president to share their recommendations and to discuss options for the day.
● By 5:45 a.m. a decision will be made and relayed to the Heads of School.
If a change of schedule is warranted then
● the Heads of School will use School Messenger to immediately communicate with families and faculty/staff.
○ Information shall be communicated no later than 6:00 a.m., when possible.
● the Chief Operations Officer will communicate to news channels.
● the Director of Transportation emails adjusted stop times to all families by 7:00 a.m.
Delay of school start times:
● 2-hour delay at HPA with school starting at 10:00 a.m.
● 1-hour delay at HHS/HRHS with school starting at 10:00 a.m.
○ No early intercampus HHS/HRHS bus before 10:00 a.m.
○ Simultaneous intercampus HHS/HRHS buses starting at 10:00 a.m., normal stop times thereafter (following a “Friday” schedule)
● Important note: when a delayed start is implemented all morning clubs and activities are cancelled.
If more than a 1-hour delay is needed at the high school campuses, then we will move to an asynchronous school day or cancellation; no 2-hour delays for high schools.
Extreme cold and wind chill temperatures
● A delay could be implemented if temperatures are forecasted to be significantly below zero at 7:00 a.m. If temperatures are not forecast to improve by 9:00 a.m., then a cancellation could be called.
● Using the NOAA Wind Chill Chart as reference, if wind chill temperatures are forecast to be near or at the “10-minute” frostbite time zone at 7:00 a.m., then a delayed start schedule will be implemented. If by 9:00 a.m., wind chill temperatures are not forecast to improve, a cancellation could be called.
Early release and/or cancellation of after-school activities
In the event that inclement weather poses a danger to students, faculty, and staff, HCS may choose to implement an early release and/or cancellation of all after-school programs and activities. While there is no one benchmark or standard for what constitutes dangerous weather, HCS leadership will use all available information to make a decision that supports the safety of its families, faculty, and staff.
If a change of schedule is warranted then
● the Heads of School will immediately communicate with families, students, faculty, and staff about the change of schedule and outline procedures for dismissal and pick-up.
● the Chief Operations Officer will communicate to news channels.
● the Director of Transportation will email adjusted stop times to all families.