TO: All
Employees
FROM: Verletta
B. White
SUBJECT: Inclement
Weather Guidelines
DATE: December
2020
To adequately prepare for inclement weather days in our
school district, I’ve asked a number of stakeholders to collaborate on our
inclement weather protocols to ensure the prioritization of student and staff
safety, as well as quality instruction. I
would like to thank the numerous team members from across the District who
participated in this process.
The following inclement weather guidelines are in effect for
all Roanoke City Public Schools’ (RCPS) employees for the 2020-21 school year:
v
Weather
Announcements. Announcements
will be posted as follows:
o
Division Website (www.rcps.info),
o
Facebook (www.facebook.com/RoanokeCityPublicSchools),
o
Twitter (@RoanokeSchools)
o
and on the inclement weather hotline at
853-2006.
As always, you may tune in to your local
radio and television stations for the announcement.
v
School Closings.
If schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions, an
announcement will be made; school-based employees and all building
administrators do not report for work to permit crews to clear
the walkways and parking lots. All building administrators are on call when
schools are closed.
Every effort will be made to make the announcement by 5:30 a.m. Employees in Maintenance and Building
Operations must report to work and arrive as soon as possible, pending safe
travel conditions. Central Office
staff must report for work and arrive as soon as possible, pending safe
travel conditions or unless otherwise instructed. Employees unable to report to work must
notify their supervisor.
Important Notes: If
schools are closed due to inclement weather conditions for more than three (3)
consecutive days, an announcement will be made that “Roanoke City Public
Schools will conduct an asynchronous instruction day.” The day is counted as a
learning day by ensuring that students have access to the curriculum and every
student has access to their work.
If the cumulative number of inclement
weather days exceeds six (6), an announcement will be made that, “Roanoke
City Public Schools will conduct asynchronous instruction for subsequent
inclement weather days.”
Principals are responsible for
ensuring student access to the curriculum.
If there is a power outage or other extenuating circumstances for a
family, the principal will work to make additional accommodations for students
to access instruction or make up the instruction. Employees are asked to
plan for inclement weather and be prepared to work from home, unless otherwise
directed, when there is a threat for inclement weather. It
is imperative to support the continuity of instruction in the event of an
extended closure. All teachers and related service staff should create five
class or instructional periods of supplemental Canvas lessons to promote
student learning.
The Administration reserves the right
to have teachers work with students after school in preparation for
standardized tests when there has been an excessive number of closings due to
inclement weather.
v
Delayed
Openings. If a
decision is made to open schools late, the announcement will be made by 5:30
a.m. Again, tune to your local radio and
television stations and be alert to changing weather conditions that may
require a closing announcement after 5:30 a.m. If a decision is made to delay
opening because of inclement weather, school employees are to report to work
two hours after their normally scheduled time. Only those employees who are
required to maintain essential or emergency services (including Central Office
staff) will report to work on time and/or arrive as soon as possible depending
on safe travel conditions.
Important note:
Principals are responsible for planning minimal coverage to receive children
who may be dropped off early by their parents/guardians.
v
Early
Closings. If a
decision is made to close schools early because of inclement weather, all
school-based personnel may leave 30 minutes after students depart. All
principals are to wait until they receive the “All Clear” from the
Director of Transportation before they leave the building.
Announcement of an early closing will
be made to schools by the Superintendent or designee, and to the media by the Executive
Director of Communications and Marketing. Twelve-month employees in maintenance
and building operations and non-school-based personnel should remain at their
work site for the normal workday unless specific instructions are provided from
the Superintendent or designee concerning an earlier dismissal time.