Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we enter the months of possible inclement weather, the following is being provided in order that our schools and our families may proactively plan for any weather-related interruptions that may occur.
Deciding whether to close school, delay start, or dismiss early because of hazardous weather can be one of the more difficult decisions facing the administrative staff.
Because weather and road conditions will sometimes change between the evening hours and the time that school would otherwise commence, in many instances a decision cannot be made until 4:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m.
What may appear to be hazardous conditions at 9:00 o’clock in the evening can completely change throughout the night, depending on temperatures and the amount of work that can be accomplished by the Department of Highway’s crews.
With this in mind, as we monitor weather conditions, we will attempt to make families aware of changes in our school operations as soon as possible.
Families can depend upon Taylor County to notify the public of snow days, delays, or “Non-Traditional Instruction Days” - (NTIDs) related to weather as soon as possible the previous night or by approximately 5 AM the day of the delay or cancellation.
These notifications will be made through the TCS app, TCS voice/text messaging system, our social media sites, as well as via local media outlets.
Additional information, in chart form, is also available via your school’s website, school newsletters, and/or the school’s social media sites. Please refer to that information as it provides a summarized version of what occurs during each of the aforementioned circumstances for your convenience.
The following are a few reminders:
(1) When there is a two-hour delay, schools will open at 9:15 a.m. to receive students and dismissals at the end of the day will be at the regular time.
(2) On occasion, WV school districts may cancel school due to weather or emergency and utilize "Non-Traditional” methods of instruction referred to as "NTIDs" for a maximum of 5 days each school year as we continue instruction.
During NTIDs, students will receive instruction outside of the traditional learning setting through previously provided conventional paper packets, iPad-saved material, downloads to student devices, or print resources. (Considerations will be made for those students who do not have internet connectivity.) The instructional materials provided will align with the state content standards.
In addition, when NTIDs occur, Staff will report to work and be available to assist with students' questions from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(3) On days when Taylor County Schools are closed due to snow, ice, or emergency situations, students and the majority of our staff will not report, there is no expectation of participating in learning or instruction, no work is completed from the NTID materials provided, and no meals will be provided at school locations.
In addition, all extra-curricular activities and evening activities at the schools shall be cancelled. However, after two consecutive days of cancellations, it may be permissible to hold practices upon recommendation of the principal and approval of the Superintendent.
(4) Lastly, when it becomes necessary for us to dismiss school early, (typically as a two-hour early dismissal, etc.), the lunch hour will be adjusted so that our students may have the opportunity to eat, and our buses will run in accordance with the equivalent earlier time frame on that particular day.
I hope this information is helpful.
Sincerely,
Dr. John E. Stallings, Jr.
Superintendent