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Ann Arbor Public Schools

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Weather Closure Protocol

 


The Ann Arbor Public School District (AAPS) will determine if conditions present a safety hazard for our students and staff by working with the Durham Transportation Department and in consultation with the City of Ann Arbor Snow Plow Tracking system, Ann Arbor Police Department, Washtenaw County, as well as the other Washtenaw County Superintendents.

School closures will be announced the evening before by 8:00pm, if the weather dictates, or no later than 6:30am if the snow falls overnight.


Closing Protocol for Evening or Early Morning Notification

  1. When the weather forecast calls for potentially hazardous conditions due to inclement weather, the Durham Transportation Department, along with AAPS Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Physical Properties, will begin monitoring conditions starting late in the evening/early morning hours.
  1. County Superintendents conduct a conference call after Transportation reports their recommendation for closing schools based on conditions of roads, schools drives/sidewalks and weather forecast
  1. AAPS Superintendent confirms the decision to close or open school – Decision to close should be confirmed no later than 5:00 a.m. and communicated to appropriate staff:
    • Superintendent contacts Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Physical Properties and the Communications team.
      1. Physical Properties begins their plan for clearing school property based on weather conditions
      2. Communications team contacts:
        • Social Media - Twitter (@A2Schools), Facebook (@AnnArborPublicSchools)
        • Email AAPS Staff through District Announce
        • Post Notification on AAPS Website, AAPS News
        • Hotline message recorded  - 734-994-8684
        • Staff receives Schoolmessenger phone and email message
        • Notification to AAPS Families via Schoolmessenger made no later than 6:00 am. If your contact information has changed, please notify your school’s office professional to update Powerschool.
  1. Balas Administration Staff Protocol on Snow Days – In cases of mission critical assignments, Balas staff will be notified by their supervisor regarding their ability to report to work on the snow day.

Closing Protocol During the School Day

  1. If inclement weather begins during the school day, conditions are assessed regarding weather predictions before school is released for the day.
  2. A decision to release school early must consider the ability for parents to pick up students in a safe manner and to ensure that all parents are notified of the early closing.
  3. Schoolmessenger phone calls and emails are sent to families with instructions as to the school closing protocol to include:
    • Anticipated busing schedule
    • Notification to Elementary school if no one is at home to receive the student
    • Parents of students who normally take the bus are given the option to pick up their student instead of using the school bus for transportation home.
    • High schools students will be released first, then middle school students followed by elementary students
    • Students unable to be picked up will be kept at the school under adult supervision until a parent arrives
    • Depending on the conditions, student walkers may not be released to walk home unless parents are notified first to give permission
    • Teaching staff is released to leave after students have left the school
    • Principal must stay until all students reach home safely and no students are at school

It is the expectation that every employee will be responsible to monitor for the Schoolmessenger call and email as well as the media postings to ensure they are aware of a school closing announcement. 


State of Michigan “Snow Day” Provision

The State of Michigan allows for 30-hours of school instructional time to be waived due to inclement weather or “Act of God Days”. That equals about 6 school days that the district can be closed without having to make up the time. If AAPS exceeds the 30-hours of loss of instruction, the district will be required to make up the instructional time lost.


School Closing Information Snow Days

School closings (outside of regularly scheduled days off) will be posted on our home page, as well as on each school site.

Staff and AAPS families will be notified via a phone call and email by 6:00 am if school is closed for the day. You can also find this information at:

  • Social media: Twitter @A2Schools & Facebook @AnnArborPublicSchools
  • AAPS Hotline – 734-994-8684
  • A2schools.org
  • Ann Arbor and Detroit radio and television stations

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Tornado Watch & Tornado Warnings

When the National Weather Service issues a Tornado Watch, AAPS will move outdoor recess and other outside activities inside the building.

Schools have an emergency weather radio that connects to Washtenaw County weather alerts and will continue to monitor the status of the weather alerts.
 
If the weather status changes to a Tornado Warning, schools will take shelter immediately in the predetermined shelter locations in the school until the all clear is issued.
 
If a Tornado Warning is still in place at release time, AAPS will hold students and buses, and continue to shelter in place until the warning has expired. 
 
We thank you for your cooperation during a Tornado Warning as our main priority is student safety until the warning has been released by the National Weather Service.