Communications and Marketing

• Ferguson-Florissant School District's goal is to ensure the safety of all during inclement weather events while minimizing the disruption to student learning.

  If weather conditions or other unexpected, short-term events make it unsafe for students to attend in person, the District may use one of the following options:

  • In-person classes may be canceled entirely. (A regular snow day)
  • Students may learn during a 'virtual learning day.' (Asynchronous or Synchronous learning day)
  • School may start two hours late. (Delayed start) 
  • Students may be released early. (Early dismissal)

  What options will the District consider when weather conditions are severe?

  School closing - Closing school, is necessary when the weather forecast and current conditions indicate that a late start is not possible. School closure is usually a result of snow and/or ice. This will be a traditional 'snow day' with no in-person or virtual classes.

  Early dismissal - In the case of developing weather conditions, the District may call for early dismissal of students. In this case, there will be no evening activities or classes.

  Two-hour delayed late start - A two-hour delayed start will be used to allow staff additional time to get to school and prepare the grounds and facilities (i.e., clearing ice, sidewalks, etc.). Also, conditions and visibility often improve later in the morning. The school day will begin two hours later. All schools will end their day at the regular time. A complete list of delayed start times is listed below:

  Middle (6-8)    -   9:25 a.m.

  High (9-12)    -   10:05 a.m.

  Intermediate (3-5) - 10:50 a.m.

  Primary (Pre K - 2)  - 11:20 a.m.

  How are parents/guardians notified of school closings?

  Any decision to close schools due to weather will be announced using Ferguson-Florissant School District’s automated messaging system (email, text, and/or phone calls). Announcements will be made on local television stations, the District website, and FFSD’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts. When possible, announcements regarding inclement weather days will be made before 10 p.m. the day before or at approximately 5:30 a.m. the day inclement weather is expected. 

  • District website: www.fergflor.org provides notification of school closings and cancellations.
  • Email, Phone Call, FFSD App & Text Message: Phone, email, and text messages are sent to school families and employees when classes are cancelled, delayed, virtual, or students are released early. 
  • Social Media: Information will be posted on the District’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
  • Radio & TV: Local stations share announcements on air and on their websites.

  NOTE: If you are a parent/guardian and did not receive a phone call on a day when school is closed due to weather, please contact your child's school office to ensure the District has the correct contact information on file for your family. You can also update or change your contact information in the Parent Portal.

Administrators and teachers will make adjustments in school activities to insure the safety and comfort of our children when periods of extreme heat or cold develop.  In general, it is the District’s policy to remain open for a full day of school once classes begin each day.  Extreme heat or cold sometimes create conditions changing the normal routines of the school day such as recess or after-school activities like football practice.

Summer:

The National Weather Service and the Missouri Department of Health issue warnings of extreme heat events during the summer months.  Administrators and teachers will adjust student activities during these periods to insure the health and safety of our students.

The National Weather Service’s Heat Advisory/Warning is based on a term called the Heat Index and the length of time the extreme heat lasts.  The Heat Index is a complex formula that simulates what it “feels like” to humans given a certain temperature and relative humidity.

• Heat Advisory is issued when the heat index is expected to be at least 105 degrees for 3 hours or more with a minimum heat index of 80 degrees during a 24-hour period.

• Heat warning is issued when the heat index is expected to be at least 115 degrees for 3 hours or more with a minimum heat index of 80 degrees during a 24-hour period, or when the heat index is to be in the 105 degrees to 114 degrees (or higher) for at least 3 days.

The Missouri Department of Health also issues Advisories/Warnings for extreme heat events.  They are called a Hot Weather Health Advisory or a Hot Weather Health Warning.

• Hot Weather Health Advisory is issued when the heat index is 105 degrees or greater.

• Hot Weather Health Warning is issued two days after a Hot Weather Health Advisory continues and if the forecast calls for the heat to continue for 48 more hours.

Precautions To Take:

• On any given day, when the heat index is 105 degrees or higher, all outdoor athletics/activities should be postponed or moved inside to air conditioned facilities.

• When the heat index is 95 degrees – 104 degrees, athletics/activities may take place outside with the following conditions:  hydration, breaks, and rest every 20 minutes.  In addition, an early stop time may be given by the Athletic Director for athletic practices and after-school activities.  The Athletic Director will communicate with coaches regarding these precautions.  

How does temperature affect the decision to hold school?

When very cold weather strikes we receive many questions from families and staff asking whether school will be closed due to cold temperatures alone. The answer is yes. Under certain conditions, outlined below, extreme cold may cause school to be closed for the safety of our students and staff.

The Ferguson-Florissant School District considers a set of internal weather guidelines to help determine whether temperatures are safe to hold classes. Our weather guidelines state that if the wind chill temperature is ABOVE (warmer than) -19 degrees at 5 a.m., schools are generally open. If the wind chill temperature falls BELOW (is colder than) -20 degrees at 5 a.m., schools are more likely to be closed. These guidelines take into account the amount of time it takes for exposed skin to develop frostbite and the average amount of time it takes for students to walk to school or wait at bus stops. Of course, other factors may also be considered, but these parameters provide a general guide. Click here to view a National Weather Service (NWS) brochure on wind chills to learn more.

When temperatures do not warrant closing, families should help their children to be prepared for the weather to make sure that they stay as safe and warm as possible as they make their way to and from school:

• Dress them warmly, in layers; with a hat, scarf, gloves and appropriate footwear.
• If your child generally walks to school, consider giving them a ride or having children from your neighborhood carpool together.
• If your child rides the bus, dress them warmly, but also consider waiting in the car with them at the bus stop, or having one person in your neighborhood maintain a warm car by the stop. 

Just like our families do when school is in session during very cold weather, the District makes some adjustments in response to the weather to ensure our students and staff are safe and as comfortable as possible:

• Our transportation department begins preparing district buses as early as 4 a.m. to make sure the engines start and heaters work so that students have as warm a ride to school as possible. Drivers are careful to arrive at bus stops as close to “on time” as possible.
• Custodial and maintenance staff ensure temperatures inside our classrooms are comfortable and are on standby to respond to any facility issues that can arise due to frigid temperatures outside.
• Recess and all gym class activities are held indoors.

Because instructional time is so valuable for all of our students to be able to achieve at the highest levels, we wish for all students to be in school as much as possible. However, ultimately, families decide what is best for their children based on individual circumstances. We hope that this information is helpful for our students, families and staff to know more about our decision-making process and the steps we can all take to continue our teaching and learning even when it’s very cold outside.

In times of severe weather, staff members will be alert to dangerous weather conditions. Ferguson-Florissant School District follows weather updates for all in-district zip codes on the National Weather Service website. It is important to have a family plan in the event that a tornado warning is issued before school. All schools conduct routine tornado drills with students to ensure they are aware of procedures.

Tornado Alerts:

• Tornado Watch - During a tornado watch or other threatening weather, school officials are alert for developing and dangerous conditions, and actions deemed necessary for safety will be taken in accordance with building procedures. 

• Tornado Warning - During a tornado warning, when sirens have sounded, seek shelter. Do not attempt to pick up your student from school. Weather experts advise that cars are among the most dangerous places to be in a storm. 

• All Clear - Ferguson-Florissant School District consults the National Weather Service on when a warning has been lifted. The siren silencing does not mean the warning has ended. After the all clear is given, students may be picked up by parents. Depending on the time of day the all-clear is announced, bus transportation may run later than normal. Any changes to the dismissal schedule will be communicated to families through the district’s mass notification system.

Before school:

• Keep children at home or in safe location until the tornado warning is lifted. We want to ensure students are not waiting at bus stops during this critical time.

• School buses will be held at the transportation garage. The start of the school day will be delayed until the tornado warning is lifted and the all-clear is given.

• If buses are traveling on their route, they will proceed to the nearest school or other predetermined location and remain there until the warning has been lifted and the all-clear is given.

During school:

• Students and staff will move to the building’s safe places and proceed into the precautionary cover position.

• Please refrain from coming to school to pick up your child during a tornado warning.

During dismissal:

• Students will not be dismissed from school while the area is under a tornado warning.

• Students will be held at school and buses will not be allowed to transport until the tornado warning has been lifted and the all clear is given.

• Parents who arrive at school during a warning will be asked to wait and seek shelter until the warning is lifted and all is clear.

When buses are traveling:

• Buses will proceed to the nearest school or other predetermined location. 

• Drivers and students will remain at that location until the warning has been lifted and the all clear is given.

Communication Procedures:

• Phone lines may not be answered during a tornado warning, as students and staff will be in the precautionary safe space within the building. 

• Parents will be notified through the district’s mass notification system of any changes in transportation and/or school delays due to a tornado warning.