Weather-Related Closures
At Stone Bank School, we will always make decisions that prioritize the safety and needs of all students, from our youngest four-year-old kindergarteners to eighth graders. Living in Wisconsin, inclement weather may require delayed starts or emergency closures, and these decisions are made carefully using the most current information, with safety as the top priority.
Framework for Weather-Related Closures
Arrowhead School Districts depend on guidance from the National Weather Service to inform decisions across its member districts. Weather warnings do not automatically lead to school closures; instead, they act as indicators prompting a thorough evaluation of conditions.
Extreme Cold:
A Wind Chill Warning, typically issued when sustained wind chills reach or exceed -35°F, signals the need for careful consideration of school and after-school activity closures. The issuance of a warning alone does not automatically result in closure.
Snow and Ice:
Winter Storm Warnings (such as 6 inches of snow in 12 hours, 8 inches in 24 hours, 2 inches of sleet, or ¼ inch or more of ice), Blizzard Warnings, and Ice Storm Warnings are used as guidance points for evaluating whether school and after-school activities should be closed. These warnings do not independently trigger closures.
Additional Considerations:
Decisions always take into account additional factors, including the timing, intensity, and expected duration of the weather event, as well as local conditions and safety considerations across member districts.
Decision-Making Process
Weather conditions are evaluated in advance, including early-morning reviews and coordination with neighboring school districts, our transportation provider, and the National Weather Service. In some situations, decisions may be made the evening before provide families with additional time to plan.
Communication
Our goal is to make any decision to delay or close school by 5:00 a.m. This allows time to notify staff and families before travel begins. Notifications are sent via phone and email using our Skylert system, and local media outlets are notified. When monitoring media, Stone Bank School closures will be listed under Arrowhead Schools.
Early Dismissal
Early release is rarely used. Once students are at school, early dismissal becomes difficult due to transportation logistics and the need to provide families with adequate notice, particularly for younger students. In most cases, students will be dismissed at their regularly scheduled time to ensure safe and consistent arrival home.
Safety
The decision to close school impacts many families and is never made lightly. The safety of students, staff, and families is always the top priority and carefully weighed in every decision. Please remember that families always have the option to keep their child home if weather or travel conditions feel unsafe.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we navigate this wonderful Wisconsin weather together.
