Winter Weather
During the winter, many children in Pulaski County dream of waking to find snow covering the roads and a voice coming through the radio announcing that schools will be closed. For them, it means sleeping a little longer and a day of fun. For parents, it means making alternate arrangements for their children.
It is our goal to stay on the school schedule as much possible. However, changes in transportation routes, school opening and closing times, and attendance dates may be required due to winter weather. Hazardous weather situations require cooperation and good communication between home and school so that the quality of education is not lowered and the welfare of children is safeguarded. Please have a plan in place for your child when schools are closed, when there is a time delay, or when buses are operating on alternate routes. There is always controversy and confusion surrounding the decision to close school. School closure decisions do not please everyone; however, our primary concern in making such decisions is the safety and welfare of our students.
Decisions which involve changing schedules or closing schools are made only after consultation with several information sources which may include: weather forecasters, Kentucky State Police, local Sheriff and City Police departments, and news media. In addition, the superintendent and designated staff assess road conditions and conduct on-site evaluations of 80-120 miles of roads in all areas of the county.
Pulaski County is a large and diverse geographic region in which weather conditions can vary greatly. There may be times when snow covers the northern part of the county while the southern region reports only rain. All schools in the Pulaski County School System are one unit. If roads are hazardous in one area of the county, then all schools will close. However, the Memorial Daycare program will remain open even when regular school is not in session due to weather situations. This program will close only if weather is extremely severe.
Schools, by state law, are required to be open for the equivalent of 175 days of instruction. If any time is missed, it must be made up. If hazardous conditions exist and it is necessary to make changes in the daily school schedule, one of the operation plans listed below will be announced and used. Working together, we will be able to successfully address the winter weather.
PLAN A
SCHOOL CLOSED
When an announcement is made that there will be no school in the Pulaski County School System, all schools will be closed.
PLAN B
SAFE ROAD PICKUP
Buses will not travel unsafe, snow covered, or icy roads. Bus drivers will tell students where they will be picked up and dropped off when Plan B is in effect. Please make sure you and your child know the designated Plan B pick-up and drop-off location. Most of our bus routes will be able to run as usual and will not be effected under Plan B. Our drivers will attempt to maintain their time schedule but flexibility and cooperation will be key in making Plan B successful. Under Plan B, schools may begin at the regular time or they may be on a delayed time schedule. Listen to the media outlets for information about the time schedule and other information under Plan B. Schools will be dismissed at the regular time.
PLAN C
EARLY DISMISSAL
Should weather conditions begin to deteriorate during the day or there is another emergency, schools will be dismissed early. Parents are to make arrangements for a “Second Home” with a nearby friend or relative if school is dismissed early and parents will be away from home. If schools are dismissed early, it is essential that parents have a plan for someone to be responsible when children arrive home. In the event you work away from home, select a “Second Home” (possibly a neighbor) where your children may stay until you return. Please make certain your children and their schools are aware of the “Second Home” choice. The “Second Home” choice must be communicated to the bus driver and to the school by the parent. If you do not have a “Second Home” choice for your children, please notify the school’s principal. Your children will be kept at school until you are able to pick them up or other arrangements are made. In the event of early dismissal, parents should inform the principal’s office if they wish to come and get their children at school. Departure of your children from school will be decided by school authorities. The decision may be to send the children home or it may be to keep them in school indefinitely under continued supervision until the emergency has passed. Whatever the decision, it will be in the best interest of your children.
Once a decision has been made to close school or to change transportation and school schedules, information is given to the listed media sources. The media will be notified by 6:00 AM. Whenever possible, information will be given to the media for late evening news broadcasts. If there is not an announcement from these media sources, school will be in session as usual. School offices and administrators will not have any information other than what is broadcast over these radio and television stations.
FIRST RADIO GROUP:- WLLK 102.3 FM
- WSEK 97.1 FM
- WKEQ 910 AM
- WWZB 93.9 FM
- WSFC 1240 AM
- WTLO RADIO 1480 AM
- WKYM RADIO 101.7 FM
- WKYT TV CH 27 CBS
- WTVQ TV CH 36 ABC
- WLEX TV CH 18 NBC