High Rise School District Policy:
Severe Inclement Weather
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Inclement weather is defined as any natural weather patterns that could cause damage to
property, people, and interfere with the everyday routine of life.
Such weather could be: Severe thunderstorms, Tornado, Hurricane, Hail, Earthquakes,
Ball Lightning, Heavy Snow, Volcano Eruptions, Acid Rain, Flash Flooding, or the
deadliest weather pattern yet....the Sharknado!
In the event of possible severe weather, the principal will be in contact with the weather
authorities, board members to determine what is safe and practical for the students and
faculty.
Important Information from the national weather Service
Watches: Are issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) when the risk of a hazardous
weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, and/or
timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time so that those who need to set
their plans in motion can do so.
Warnings: Are issued by the NWS when a hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring,
is imminent, or has a very high probability of occurring. A warning is used for conditions posing
a threat to life or property.
Tornado is a violently rotating column of air, in contact with the ground, visible as a funnel
cloud. Thunder, lightning, heavy rain, hail and strong winds often precede a tornado. The sky
will have very dark clouds, often greenish or near black. Tornadoes make a very loud roaring
noise that is similar to the noise made by a speeding train. Most tornadoes have winds less than
110 mph and last from one to ten minutes. However, stronger tornadoes will last 20 minutes or
longer and can have winds greater than 205 mph.
Severe thunderstorms are characterized by the presence of heavy rain, lightning, thunder,
damaging straight-line winds of 58 mph or stronger, and/or hail at least ¾" in diameter.
Tornadoes occasionally develop in areas in which severe thunderstorm watches or warnings are
in effect.
High winds are surface winds of 40 mph or greater lasting for 1 hour or longer, or winds gusting
to 58 mph or greater regardless of duration
High Rise high School will be using the national weather Services terminology and parents
are invited to become familiar with the aforementioned terminology.
Severe weather before School Day Begins
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On the event that severe weather or threat of severe weather occurs during the evening or
overnight
Parents are invited to check the website, radio station 99.1Fm ASCA, TV channel 15, or
sign up for emergency alert texts and phone calls to your cellular telephone.
To sign up text weather to 11111111. You should receive a text indicating you are on the
texting/calling list.
To unsubscribe from the texting list, text "stopit" to 11111111.
If you need help to unsubscribe contact our IT department at
nerdsandproud@highrise.org
The principal will make the call to delay or cancel school based on information from
weather sources and agencies, board members, and other professional advice
Severe weather During School
In the event severe weather occurs during school one of three situation may happen in
order to keep our children safe: Early Dismissal, Evacuation to the local Bomb Shelter, or
Lockdown until the weather passes.
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Early dismissal
In the event of an early dismissal, the principal will send out the time of the early
dismissal,
Early dismissal would mean the weather is safe but would not be safe if normal school
hours would continue.
Parents would be notified by text/cell phone
High School would be more likely to have an early dismissal than an elementary school
due to age and unable to be alone without supervision.
Parents can pick up their children and must sign out through the main office.
Evacuation to Bomb Shelter
In the event of a tornado, or other sudden weather formation that would dictate an
evacuation, school teachers will lead their class to the Bomb Shelter, which happens to be
adjacent to the high school.
An evacuation would take place only if the principal saw a Warning, a funnel, or other
sign of immediate danger.
Teachers and Crisis management teams along with local EMS would account for every
child, through practice and trainings every month.
After the Warning has been lifted, the parents will be able to meet their children at the
meeting/staging area, the football field, or the local Wal-Mart parking lot, if the football
field is not an option.
Lockdown
In the event of a lockdown, it would not be safe to remain outside, or to be near widows.
High winds and severe thunderstorms with hail would be reasons to go into lockdown.