School Closings & Delays
Emergency School Closure Process
Seymour Community Schools has once again evaluated the process it uses to decide when to close schools due to bad weather and how to best alert parents and students about the closure.
The district is aware of the implications of emergency school closures. We realize when schools shut down parents must make alternative plans, bus and food services must be altered, class and test schedules must change, and events must be canceled. We also feel strongly that our students’ education can best be served when they are in class; however, safety is our number one priority. We will always do what is best to safeguard the well-being of our students and staff, but sometimes closing schools is not the obvious choice. The school district covers 160 square miles that covers the width of an entire county. There have been times when the weather has changed, road conditions have deteriorated, or a storm has stalled over the area that a last minute decision has been made to close. These late decisions are made to protect our students and staff. There are many factors that are considered.
The images of our bus drivers on slippery roads, of young children standing at frozen bus stops, and teens, or their parents, driving in hazardous conditions is always present when the decision is made to close schools. Once the decision is made, the Seymour Community Schools must disseminate the message quickly to the media, staff, and parents.
You can obtain school closings, late starts, early outs, and cancellations at the following locations:
- Seymour Community Schools website, at https://www.seymourcsd.org
- WHO-TV 13
- KCCI-TV 8
- KIIC Radio 96.7-FM
- KMGO Radio 98.7-FM
Notes
- Some stations get the information on faster than others. The best advice is to listen to more than one so our information is not overlooked.
- If we have a late start on in-service Wednesday’s there will not be an early out for a scheduled in-service. We will have a normal release time.
Since parents are the primary protectors, they will need to decide what is best for their children regardless of any decision by the school district. The option to keep children home when weather conditions are extreme is always at the parents' discretion and the school understands and respects the decision. Parents can contact the school and arrange for an excused student absence. All families should make advanced arrangement for their children in case of school closures and for the rare situation when it is necessary to close school because of a power failure or another circumstance. Children should know where to go if a parent will not be home and how to contact parents and guardians. Make sure your parent contact information, including work telephone numbers, are kept up-to-date with the school.
During cold weather you should always make sure your child is dressed appropriately. Bulky coats and boots can be stored in classrooms, or other areas designated by the principal in addition to student lockers so don't be afraid to bundle them up.
Working together we can ensure the safety of the Seymour Community Schools during the hazardous weather season.
