Inclement Weather
As weather patterns shift during the colder months, there will be early mornings when decisions must be made about school delay or cancellation.
While it is our hope that school can be in session daily, it is possible that on-site instruction may be delayed or cancelled from time to time due to dangerous weather and/or road conditions. The safety of students and staff is always the top priority. In the event of cancellation of on-site instruction, students K-12 should expect virtual instruction. The severity of the weather emergency will determine who should report to work and the status of any on-site programming, services, or activities.
Decisions will be communicated to families and staff as quickly as possible via ParentSquare, web alert, social media, and local news stations. Depending on the timing of the weather, it is our hope that a decision can be made no later than 5:30 AM.
The inclement weather will be categorized as either Level 1 or Level 2.
This will determine the status of programming and staffing. A two-hour delay is also possible.
Level 1: K-12 on-site instruction cancelled. Students will receive virtual instruction. There is no transportation for a Level 1 closure. Preschool will be in session on-site. Preschool sites include ELC Amy Beverland, ELC Brook Park, ELC Mary Castle, ELC Winding Ridge, Forest Glen, & Skiles Test.
Level 2: K-12 on-site instruction cancelled. Students will receive virtual instruction. There is no transportation for a Level 2 closure. Preschool is cancelled.
Inclement Weather Guidelines - English Inclement Weather Guidelines - Spanish
Weather specific information below from links above - Windchill & Extreme Cold
Extreme Wind Chill
Wind chill prediction is not as accurate as temperature prediction because wind speed is more variable by time and location. While NOAA observations and predictions are based upon the open conditions of Indianapolis Airport, these conditions are often different throughout Marion County. Local observations of wind speed will affect the decision regarding delaying or closing school. Wind chill concerns emerge at a predicted wind chill temperature of -15 degrees or below and local wind conditions are predicted to mirror the airport wind conditions at 7:00 A.M., the district will consider a two (2) hour delay for the start of school. If the wind chill is predicted to remain at -15 degrees or below and local conditions mirror the airport wind conditions at 9:00 A.M. the district will consider closing. The variability of the wind speed will likely cause the decision to be made in the morning.
Extreme Cold
Temperature prediction is increasingly accurate. The MSD Lawrence Township uses the hourly temperature predictions for its zip code from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa.gov). If air temperature is predicted by NOAA to be -10 degrees or below (the starting point for wind chill concerns with calm wind) at 7:00 A.M. the district will consider a two (2) hour delay for the start of school. If the air temperature is predicted to remain at -10 degrees or below at 9:00 A.M. the district will consider closing. Such a determination will be made as early as possible, perhaps the evening before, but certainly by 6:00 A.M. in the morning.
In the event of a 2-hour delay, everything is pushed back two hours. Kindergarten (ELCs) & Elementary buildings will begin at 10 AM. Middle & High School buildings will begin at 10:50 AM.
In the event of a 2-hour delay, Before & After Care will operate during normal hours.
We would like for students to be in school every day, but respect the decision of parents to keep their child home in the event of inclement weather. If you choose to keep your child home and school is in session, please contact the school attendance line to inform of your decision.