CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT New Britain, Connecticut

ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE REGARDING: Emergency School Closings

Number: 11-7

Effective Date: August 17, 1992

Weather conditions or other emergencies during the school year may affect the opening or closing of school. The procedures listed below describe the actions that must be taken when there are:

1) school closings because of bad weather or natural disasters;

2) late openings;

3) early dismissals;

1. SCHOOL CLOSINGS BECAUSE OF BAD WEATHER OR NATURAL DISASTERS

When snow storms or severe weather conditions are forecast the maintenance foreman will report to work early on that day. Other maintenance employees will be called in by the foreman to assist with snow plowing, sanding or cleanup from a storm. If custodial employees are needed to assistant with cleanup, they will be called in by the Director of Support Services.

If a decision to close school is made, telephone trees will be used to contact the appropriate administrators, staff and organizations to inform them of the change in school plans. The following radio and television stations shall also be contacted and will be requested to broadcast the no school announcement or delayed opening:

WPOP, WDRC, WTIC, WCCC, WRYM, WKSS, WLVH Channel 3, Channel 8, Channel 30

Each principal or administrator shall contact the person that is listed directly below him/her on the list. If that person is unable to reach the next one, call the next person to continue the chain. Principals shall initiate the phone tree for their school after making the designated calls.

On “no school days” the schools will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Custodians and secretaries are to follow their summer work schedules. Security personnel will be assigned to custodial duties. All administrators are to report to work for a regular workday unless otherwise notified. Any situations/conditions at a school which require additional help or assistance are to be brought to the attention of the Support Services Office, 827-2217 or Maintenance Department 223-4503. 2. LATE OPENINGS

When a decision is made to open a school late an announcement will be made using the same telephone tree and radio announcement procedure as used for schools closings. However, the message will be that schools will open one hour, on and one-half hours, or two hours late.

All staff, including administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians and security personnel, are to report to work at the regular time. Only student schedules are affected by a late opening.

3. EARLY DISMISSALS

Occasionally, fast moving weather systems will cause the early dismissal of students. The telephone tree for emergency closings during the school day will be used to notify school principals and other agencies. Radio and television stations will broadcast the notice of the early dismissal. Once again, the early dismissal only applies to students. Teachers, when necessary, will remain at the school until students are safely on their way. All other staff members are expected to work their normal hours unless otherwise notified.

In order to ensure that students who ride the bus have been transported to their destinations, the Manager of Finance and Contracted Services will check with the bus company. The Manager will confirm that all buses have returned from their respective runs and call each school. The principal is to remain at the school until notification regarding the buses has been received from the Transportation Office. All students are to be accounted for prior to the administrator’s departure from school.

4. GENERAL PRECAUTIONARY ACTIONS

Principals of each school are responsible to make sure the building is operational each school day. During winter storms, principals must make sure all driveways, sidewalks and pathways are accessible and properly sanded. The heating system, temperature controls and oil tank level are to be checked during the heating season and especially during extreme cold spells. Heavy rains or severe winds require inspection of each building to check for water damage, broken glass or power outages, etc.

During severe weather conditions or high winds, care must be taken to assure that students are removed from sections of the school where large areas of glass exist. As every building is unique, it is expected that each principal will have a plan on how to deal with specific emergencies. Should assistance be needed from maintenance, requests must be made in a timely manner.

PLEASE REVIEW THIS MESSAGE WITH ALL STAFF SO THAT EVERYONE IS AWARE OF PROCEDURES AND EXPECTATIONS.