For teachers and administrators at school, winter safety is an important consideration. They need to keep in mind that children are not always aware of the dangers that can arise in winter months and plan to keep the youngsters under their care safe.
Start Early. The time to devise a winter safety plan for the school is long before the colder weather hits. Take time to think about what procedures should be put in place in advance. Then make sure that staff, students, and parents are aware of the policies that will be adopted by way of a newsletter going home with all students.
Get Weather Information Quickly. Since weather conditions can play a part in school winter safety, you will want to make sure you have access to accurate information. The broadcasts information about hazardous weather for the next week daily. The broadcast will include valuable information about the following weather conditions:
- Winter storms
- Extreme cold
- Extreme heat
- Heavy rain
- Risk of flooding
- Severe thunderstorms
Severe weather warnings are broadcast on an as-needed basis. You can also get this valuable information from local radio and television stations.
School Closings Due to Weather
Part of the school winter safety plan will need to deal with school closings due to weather. If the school needs to remain closed on a regular school day, parents will need to be notified somehow. Arrangements can be made to broadcast an announcement on local radio stations, and parents should be told which ones they should tune in to for this purpose.
A plan also needs to be developed to handle early closings due to weather during school hours.
- How will parents be notified when students are going to be sent home early?
- Can students whose parents cannot be contacted remain at school until parents are reached?
- What special arrangements need to be made for students who are bussed to and from school?