NCSS Inclement Weather Procedures
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NCSS Inclement Weather Decision-Making Process video
Following are Newton County School System’s procedures for inclement weather and how the district handles school cancellations.
NCSS schools and facilities may close in the event of hazardous weather or other emergencieswhich present threats to the safety of students, staff, or school property.
The superintendent makes the decision about school closing based on a cross-divisional and cross-agency effort,with information from public safety officials, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, Newton County officials, and school district operations and transportation employees. When inclement weather is an issue, members of our Operations and Transportation teams head out as early as 3:30 or 4 a.m. to drive roads around the county and assess road conditions. Our Transportation staff also checks to ensure that buses are operable.
If severe weather occurs or is predicted in advance, the school superintendent will try to make a decision by 10 p.m. the night before a school closure.Weather changes quickly and as a result, it is not always possible to make an accurate decision by 10 p.m.If a definite decision to close schools cannot be made by 10 p.m., Newton County School System personnel will monitor weather and road conditions overnight and into early morning hours. If a school closing is necessary,the Superintendent would make that decision no later than 5 a.m. on the morning of the school closure.
School closing announcements would then be posted on the Newton County School System website, the district’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and on metro-Atlanta television stations. In addition, a School Messenger Call would go out to NCSS families and employees. Please do not call the schools or central office to inquire about possible school closings as that occupies phone lines and delays a district announcement.It is very important that parents keep phone information up-to-date as School Messenger utilizes parent contact information on file in Infinite Campus.
Should weather become severe during the school day resulting in the need to dismiss students early, the Newton County School System would initiate an Emergency School Messenger Call to parents. As with a school cancellation, the early dismissal announcement would be posted on the NCSS website, Facebook, and Twitter pages, and metro-Atlanta television stations will also be notified.
The key factor in all decisions about whether or not to hold school is the safety of students and staff.