Dear Oakwood families,

 

With the ever-changing circumstances of the 20 - 21 school year why should the idea of weather-related decisions be unchanged?  With winter officially here and and the chance of adverse weather conditions always a possibility, I wanted to provide you with information regarding the elimination of “snow days” this school year for Oakwood Schools effective Jan. 19, 2021.

 

That’s right, no “Snow Days.”  However, there may be an occasion to call a “remote learning day” if conditions require it.

 

Typically, we have advanced knowledge a strong winter weather system is headed our way.  We begin to watch the forecast a few days out at the first sign of a potential problem, monitoring local TV stations, WeatherBug, Weather Channel and the National Weather Service (NOAA.gov) since none of them alone have the best information.

 

When the weather is in question, the day begins early for many in the District.

• The groundskeeper comes in to plow and salt around 2:30 a.m. He contacts me around 4:30 a.m. with an initial evaluation.
• I begin to text/call our neighboring superintendents about the conditions and begin to formulate a plan.
• I am usually on the road by 4:45 a.m., driving the city, walking the sidewalks and talking to our grounds crew working the buildings.
• I stop by the Safety Department to talk with dispatch and get a report from the on-duty officers and the salt crews.
• I then talk with Dr. Waller (OHS Principal) and/or Mrs. Connor (Athletic Director) who also live in Oakwood and will have been monitoring the conditions.
• I also talk with Ms. Hale who has experience as a weather reporter and has access to additional data/information.
• By this time, it is usually approaching 6:00 a.m. when I need to make a decision in order to communicate to our families and employees so they can plan accordingly.

The decision includes multiple variables:

• The timing of the storm in relation to the start of school
• The amount of snow and ice
• The temperature and wind chill factor
• The extended forecast prediction
• The ability of road crews to clear crosswalks and homeowners to clear sidewalks
• The conditions at the school buildings, i.e. Are the boilers working?
• The advice of all the folks mentioned above

If we do call a remote learning day this year, we will make every effort to share that information as soon as possible.  We will alert the local media, send an One Call (https://www.oakwoodschools.org/resources/voice-notifications) message, post to Twitter (https://twitter.com/Oakwood_Schools), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/OakwoodSchools) and Instagram (oakwood_schools), send an email using the Superintendent List (https://www.oakwoodschools.org/resources/email-mailing-list) and share on our website (https://www.oakwoodschools.org/).  We understand you may have to make alternate arrangements for the day and we will try to get you the information as quickly as we can. 

 

While specific information regarding remote learning days will come from your students’ teachers, there are general expectations that will be consistent throughout the District:

Snow Day = Remote Learning Day

1. By 10 a.m., lessons will be posted for each class in Google Classroom or shared through parent emails.
2. Teachers/Aides will be available to connect with students from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
3. Each class will have 30-60 minutes of work (2.5 - 5 hours total).
4. Teachers will communicate specific expectations for the day.
5. Lunches will be provided for those students who qualify.
6. Director of Athletics and Student Activities, coaches and directors as appropriate will communicate decisions on after school activities. 

 

We believe making this change for this year will allow us to provide consistent instruction and our students and staff will not be hampered by weather delays or closures.  Our goal continues to be to keep the learning going.  Thank you for your support and assistance during this ever-changing school year.