School Closing Guidelines
What You Need to Know
Concrete rules do not exist in making decisions regarding weather. The guidelines below serve as a reference for HSSD in decision-making regarding weather. HSSD has capability to send emergency, school closing, weather, etc. alerts via text, email, and phone call. Every school district family is automatically signed up to receive email and phone call notifications.
School Closing Definitions
Schools Closed
All HSSD schools will be closed for the day. No after-school activities occur on days when schools are closed.
Delayed Start (Two Hour Delay)
Schools will start two hours later than their usual starting time. Students will be dismissed at their regular dismissal time at the end of the day.
- Students who use school bus transportation should be at their assigned bus stop two hours later than normal.
- Students who walk should plan to arrive at their school two hours later than the normal arrival time.
- When schools are delayed two hours, early childhood and morning 4K classes are not in session.
- Champions Before School Care will run at the normal time.
Early Dismissal
Dismissal time is determined based on weather and is communicated to families as soon as possible. No after school activities occur on early dismissal days.
School Closing Guidelines
Expectations
- HSSD believes the public expects schools to be open and provide educational services as well as supervision and other services, such as meals, to its students.
- HSSD recognizes that it is first and foremost a parental decision as to whether or not a child should attend school on inclement weather days.
- HSSD respects parents’ decisions regarding their child’s school attendance during inclement weather. If school is open or delayed due inclement weather, the school will respect the parent’s decision to keep their child at home.
- Parents must contact the school and inform school officials of the decision, and the student will be counted as absent.
- Students who are absent due to inclement weather will be given the opportunity to complete their academic work in the same manner as an excused absence.
Weather Definitions
Cold Weather Advisory
- A wind chill OR temperature of -20 in the next 12 to 24 hours (-25 or colder in the Northwoods and Central Wisconsin)
- Formerly called Wind Chill Advisory
- Sustained wind chill of -10 = Normal School Schedule
Extreme Cold Watch
- A wind chill OR temperature of -30 is possible in the next 24 to 72 hours (-35 or colder in the Northwoods and Central Wisconsin)
- Formerly called Wind Chill Watch
Extreme Cold Warning
- A wind chill OR temperature of -30 is imminent in the next 12 to 36 hours (-35 or colder in the Northwoods and Central Wisconsin)
- Formerly called Wind Chill Warning
Snow or Ice Events
Delaying or closing school for all or part of the day is a significant decision that is based on several data inputs from a variety of informed sources. How the decision is determined:
- School staff consult with the National Weather Service.
- School staff look closely at the timing of the snow/ice/wind, how much is predicted, and how it will potentially impact getting students to/from school.
- School staff work closely with Lamers Bus Company. HSSD staff and/or officials from Lamers drive the roads to assess if they are safe and passable.
- School staff in the Building and Grounds Department are consulted to ensure that parking lots and sidewalk snow removal is attainable.
- School staff work with Village officials to confirm snow removal from main thoroughfares of traffic.
- School staff network with other officials in Brown County to compare reports and share information.
Freezing Rain/Sleet and Dense Fog
The most unpredictable weather variables are freezing rain/sleet and dense fog. Freezing rain/sleet is temperature sensitive and, like dense fog, fast-occurring. Each begins and ends with little notice.
When freezing/rain sleet is predicted or when dense fog appears, the decision regarding whether or not school is delayed/closed will occur based on observations of the most current and local conditions.
School Closing Notifications
Text Alerts Sign-Up
Families are automatically opted in to receive texts for weather-related emergencies and all school emergencies.
Texting is a quick and timely way to inform parents/guardians regarding emergency notifications, inclement weather, etc. We will make every attempt to identify our text messages, either by beginning them with “HSSD” or the school name. If you receive a message and the sender is not identified, our text messages will be from the number or short code 67587.
Social Media
HSSD will post updates on Facebook, Instagram Story, and Twitter.
HSSD Website
A pop-up notification will appear on all pages of the HSSD website notifying families of school closings and delays.
Emergency Emails
HSSD will send emergency emails to all staff and parents regarding school closings and delays. Update your email address in PowerSchool.
Emergency Calls
HSSD will send an emergency call to all staff and parents regarding school closings and delays. Voicemail troubleshooting:
- Restart your phone.
- Ensure your phone's software is up-to-date.
- Check your carrier settings.
- Contact your carrier.
Local Media
Emergency school closings, delays, and early releases are also communicated to local media including: WBAY (Channel 2), WFRV (Channel 5), WLUK (Channel 11), and WGBA (Channel 26).
Opting Out of SchoolMessenger Emergency Notifications
HSSD uses SchoolMessenger, a school-to-parent communications system to record, schedule, and send voice messages, emails, and texts to parents. We use SchoolMessenger on a regular basis and it improves the quality of communications with our families and staff.
For parents who choose NOT to be informed through this system, please contact website@hssdschools.org and you will be removed from our list of contacts. Please note that opting out removes our ability to reach you instantly in the event of an emergency. It is your responsibility in the future to contact your child’s school if you wish to reactivate this school-to-parent communication system.