Dear Wayne-Westland Students, Staff and Families,

• Who decides to close school?
  The Superintendent decides to close school based on the factors below.
   
• How do we decide to close school?
  • Information on current road conditions from our transportation and maintenance staff, who monitor the roads throughout the night and into the morning
  • Current weather conditions and predicted weather conditions
  • Amount of snow and ice accumulation
  • Duration and timing of the snow or ice
  • Temperature and wind chill (We use a -20 wind chill for a sustained time as a guide). Here is a chart that explains how the windchill factor can cause frostbite when it approaches cold temperatures.
  • School building conditions (electricity, heat, water)
  • School parking lot and sidewalk conditions
  • Operation of buses and the ability to travel on snow-covered or icy roads
  • Consultation with neighboring school districts and weather officials
• When do we decide to close school?
  When possible, we determine a school closing the evening prior. But most times, we have to wait until the early morning hours due to changing weather conditions or giving our maintenance staff time to clear parking lots and sidewalks and our transportation staff to travel the routes safely. The notifications go out as soon as we decide to close school to give families as much notice as possible. We will NOT call after 11 pm or before 5 am.
   
• How are parents and staff notified of a school closing?
  We use various communication methods to notify the community of a school closing. As soon as the decision is made to close school we:
  • Send an automated or Robo-call to parents and staff
  • Email parents and staff via the school principal
  • Post on the District website (wwcsd.net)
  • Post on the District’s social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
  • Post on local news stations including Channel 2, 4, 7 and WJR and WWJ radio
• Will snow days be virtual learning days?
  Due to the last-minute nature of these calls, it would be difficult for our staff to transition to virtual instruction from a remote location. Therefore, snow days will remain the same as in years past and be non-instructional days for all WWCS students. If there are a significant number of inclement weather days, that could be revisited.
   
• Are there snow days built into the calendar?
  No, but Michigan allows up to six days for emergency closings.
   
• Parent Decision
  Remember, the District will make the best decision for the majority of our students. While we do our best to monitor conditions throughout the cities in our district boundaries- Wayne, Westland, Inkster, Canton, and Romulus, we cannot evaluate every road or side street. Parents always have the right to decide in the best interest of their children and families. If you feel that it is not safe for your child to attend school, you always have the option to keep your child at home.
   
• How can you help
  Make sure you have a current phone number and email in Parent Connect. Don’t rely on one communication method to get notifications. Check social media, our website and news channels.
   
• Does school closing include after school and evening activities, including sports?
  That decision is made on a case-by-case basis depending on weather and road conditions later in the day.
   
• Is Champions Before and After School open during snow days?
  Champions will be open to registered families at Stevenson Middle School when school is closed.

Upcoming Dates:

• October 28 Half day (middle school students only)
• October 31 Half day (elementary school students only)
• November 8 No school
• November 23 Half day (K-12 grades)
• November 24-25 No school (Thanksgiving recess)
• December 5-9 Elementary conference week
• December 6 Half day (elementary school students only)
• December 8 Half day (elementary school students only)
• December 26 - January 6 No school (winter recess)

Have a wonderful week.

Sincerely,

John Dignan, Ed.D.
Superintendent