Martian Families,
With the winter weather upon us, I want to share how we decide whether to delay or close school. We all wish we could predict conditions and we do our best to make decisions based on what we know at the time. We aim to stay open when conditions are safe, knowing how much families rely on us each day. However, severe weather or extreme cold can make closure necessary.
๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ:
๐๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ด๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด: We stay in contact with the Genesee County Road Commission, local safety officials, nearby districts, and our maintenance and transportation teams to assess conditions.
๐ฅ๐ผ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ธ๐: When weather is expected, district staff and I begin driving roads around 4:00 AM to evaluate main roads, side streets, and neighborhoods.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: Buses leave shortly after 6:00 AM, so unsafe or unplowed side roads play a major role in the final decision.
๐๐ผ๐น๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ: We monitor temperature and wind chill and consult with the Genesee County Health Department when conditions may be dangerous.
๐๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป: We work to announce decisions by 6:00 AM through phone and text, and when possible, the night before. Please ensure your contact information is updated through Parent Square. https://www.parentsquare.com/signin
๐๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐น๐ ๐ท๐๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐: Weather can worsen quickly. Sometimes even after the busses and drivers are on the road. If conditions are unsafe where you live and you keep your child home, we fully support that parent choice.
๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐: If conditions improve during the day, after-school events may continue. These decisions are made late morning and communicated promptly.
Student and staff safety guides every decision we make. Thank you for your understanding and partnership throughout the winter season.
-Mike Baszler, Superintendent