We hope you find the following information helpful regarding when weather may result in school and school event cancellations.
School Closing Reminder
When making the determination to cancel school due to weather emergencies, we will always be thoughtful and timely with our decisions while maintaining a focus on student safety. Each event has unique circumstances and at times will allow for more notice than others.
New National Weather Service Terminology.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has retired the terms windchill advisory, watch, and warning. Instead, the NWS will send out Cold Weather advisories and Extreme Cold watches and warnings. The new terminology is an effort to simplify messages to make it clear that winter can get dangerously cold with or without the wind.
National Weather Service criteria for cold weather advisories and extreme cold watches and warnings.
COLD WEATHER ADVISORY: A wind chill OR temperature of -25ºF in the next 12 to 24 hours
EXTREME COLD WATCH: A wind chill OR temperature of -35ºF is possible in the next 24 to 72 hours
EXTREME COLD WARNING: A wind chill OR temperature of -35ºF is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours
The National Weather Service explanation of each notification.
Cold Weather Advisory: Be Aware. A Cold Weather Advisory is issued when seasonably cold air temperatures or wind chill values, but not extremely cold values, are expected or occurring. Be sure you and your loved ones dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors.
Extreme Cold Watch: Be Prepared. An Extreme Cold Watch is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are possible. As with a Warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Make sure your car has at least half a tank of gas, and update your winter survival kit.
Extreme Cold Warning: Take Action! An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when dangerously cold air temperatures or wind chill values are expected or occurring. If you are in an area with an Extreme Cold Warning, avoid going outside. If you have to go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.
What is the criteria for cancelling school and school related events?
If the National Weather Service issues an extreme cold warning, school and school related events will be cancelled.
If the National Weather Service issues a snow or freezing rain advisory or warning, school officials with the assistance of local meteorologists, transportation services, and local emergency management will make a determination as to whether or not road conditions pose a substantial risk for travel.
What about cold weather advisories or extreme cold watches?
If the National Weather Service issues a cold weather advisory or extreme cold watch, we will take precautions to keep students safe; however school will remain open and school related events will be allowed to take place as scheduled.
When will the decision to cancel school or school related activities occur?
School officials will take every reasonable effort to make timely decisions as it relates to cancellations. Decisions regarding extreme cold warnings will occur by 12:00 PM the day before the school day or event. Parent notification will happen shortly after the decision. If a warning spans multiple days, we will make the decision to cancel school on a day to day basis.
The reason for day to day decisions is that should the National Weather Service cancel, modify, or extend the warning, we can respond appropriately.
Decisions to cancel school or conduct a late start regarding snow and freezing rain advisories and warnings will generally happen prior to 6:00 AM the day of school. We understand that this may be challenging for some families; however, storms are not as predictable as temperature.
Decisions regarding early release will occur no later than 10:15 AM and parent notification will occur shortly after the decision is made. Please remember that we are dealing with natural forces that are not always predictable. We will take every precaution to make the best decision we can with the information that is available to us. At times this may include keeping students at school instead of issuing an early release for the purpose of allowing road crews time to clear roads.
Is it too cold to go outside for recess?
If the temperature or the wind chill is below zero, your child will not go outside for recess. We do ask that all children wear their snow gear, this includes snow pants, boots, hats and mittens to and from school. This ensures that no one forgets their gear here at school.
Please direct any questions and requests for more information to Wally Leipart, Superintendent at the District Office, 715-447-8211, or wleipart@gilman.k12.wi.us.
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