Weather Policy
Communication
Alerts
Weather Conditions
Eastbrook Weather Policy
Overview
Weather conditions are both variable and extreme in Indiana. Concrete rules do not exist for making decisions regarding variable and extreme weather, but these guidelines will serve as a reference for the Eastbrook Community Schools Corporation (ECSC).
ECSC believes all parents/guardians are committed to keeping children safe and parents/guardians will dress their children appropriately for the weather when sending the children to school.
ECSC recognizes that it’s first and foremost a parental decision to determine if a child should attend school on inclement weather days.
ECSC respects a parent/guardian’s determination regarding their child’s attendance at school during inclement weather. If school is open, or delayed, because of inclement weather, the school will respect the decision to keep their child at home. Parents/guardians are expected to contact the school and inform school officials of their determination. The student will be counted as absent, per state code, and students will be given an opportunity to complete their academic work in the same manner as an excused absence from school.
Communication
Alerts
Automated phone messages through ParentSquare are sent within 15 minutes of a delay and/or cancellation decision to all contacts that are provided to the district. To adjust how you are being contacted please login to ParentSquare to see what phone number you have on file. If you require a change, please call the school office to update information.
Additional media outlets are also contacted:
Television
WANE TV- Channel 15 , WPTA TV- Channel 21, WISE TV- Channel 33, RTV- Channel 6, WTHR- Channel 13 , and Fox Channel 59
Radio
WBAT/WXXC, WERK, WLBC and WBCL
Weather Conditions
Delaying or closing school is based on multiple variables:
Fog
The most unpredictable weather variable is fog due to its ever-changing nature. Such a decision to delay or close school will be done in the morning.
Snowfall
Snowfall is more predictable than freezing rain/sleet. Such a decision, except in extreme situations, will generally be made in the morning.
Extreme Snowfall Situations
When snow has accumulated to a significant level, or is at such a level with more snowfall predicted, then the decision regarding school may be made the previous evening.
Extreme Wind Chill
Wind chill prediction is not as accurate as temperature prediction because wind speed is more variable by time and location. While NOAA observations and predictions are based upon the open conditions, these conditions can vary from actual weather in the Eastbrook Community Schools. Local observations of wind speed will affect the decision regarding delaying or closing school. If wind chill values reach -15 degrees or below, then the school will consider a two-hour delay. Such a determination will generally be made in the morning.
Freezing Rain/Sleet
One of the most unpredictable weather variables is freezing rain/sleet. Freezing rain/sleet is temperature sensitive and fast-occurring. It begins and ends with little notice. When freezing rain/sleet are predicted, the decision regarding school is delayed until the latest possible time in an effort to observe the most current and local conditions. Such a decision will generally be made in the morning.
Extreme Cold
Temperature prediction is increasingly accurate. ECSC uses the hourly temperature predictions for its zip code from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (noaa.gov). In addition, ECSC uses the Wind Chill Chart from the NOAA and the National Weather Service showing when frostbite becomes a concern if bare skin is exposed to frigid temperatures for varying amounts of time.
If air temperature is predicted by NOAA to be -10 degrees or below with calm wind (the starting point for severe wind chill concerns) at 7:00 a.m. the school will consider a two-hour delay for the start of school. Such a determination will be made as early as possible, including the evening before.