Vestavia Hills City Schools recently became the first school system in Alabama to be named a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador.
This program, overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), forms a two-way relationship between VHCS and the National Weather Service to help build weather preparedness.
“We try to look closer at weather trends in the days leading up to a storm now,” VHCS Director of Safety and Security David Howard said. “In the January snowstorm, we had multiple days in a row of sub-freezing weather. When the temperature stays that low, a dusting of snow has a much greater impact on the ground than it normally would.”
The review of the district’s weather policy led to the following updates:
VHCS will now consult directly with meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Birmingham via a live chat as a Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador. District administrators will also communicate with city officials and other over-the-mountain superintendents to ensure that school closings and delays are conducted smoothly.
Parents will receive notifications about weather events through VHCS’ rapid notification system (SchoolCast) as well as social media and local media sources. Whenever possible, the district will now alert parents to the possibility of a closing or delay before a final decision has been made.
Whenever possible, delays and early closings will occur two hours from normal opening and closing times. Buses will adjust their arrival times accordingly. Schools will make every effort to serve all meals planned for the day when a delay or closing occurs. Field trips scheduled for the day of a weather event will be canceled. Normal checkout procedures will remain in effect.
-Submitted by Whit McGhee
