Dear Parents and Guardians:
Thank you for your continued support and flexibility as we continue to support our students, families, and community each day. Very soon snow will start falling and we may be required to make decisions about closing schools because of bad weather. While we believe that our students are best served academically and socially by being in school, our top priority is their safety and sometimes that means we need to close our schools. When schools are closed due to bad weather, instruction for ALL students will be canceled for the day.
How do we make our decision to close schools?
We gather as much relevant information as possible and base our decision on that analysis. This process includes:
► A review of data from forecasting services and statewide emergency systems
► Information on road conditions from transportation staff, police and highway supervisors
► An assessment of the amount of accumulated snow and ice
►Evaluation of anticipated duration of precipitation, weather predictions, temperature and wind chill data
►Verification of building status, including availability of utility services and onsite snow removal
Who makes the decision and when?
As Superintendent of Schools, I am responsible for the final determination. My decision is based on the above factors, as well as recommendations from the Director of Transportation, Director of Facilities and Operations, and the City of Tonawanda Police Department and Department of Public Works. We try very hard to make the decision by 5:30 AM or the evening before, if possible, to give parents extra time to arrange alternate plans for childcare and supervision.
How is the public notified?
A District-wide text/email/phone call will be activated as soon as the decision to close schools is made. It will also be posted on the District website (www.tonawandacsd.org) and mobile app.
Up-to-date information is also provided to the various radio stations: WBEN 930, WJYE 96.1, WBLK 93.7, KISS 98.5, 102.5, WYRK 106.5 and television stations: WGRZ, WIVB, WKBW, and Spectrum News.
Will we close schools if conditions worsen during a day of student attendance?
Once we make the decision to keep schools open, many parents leave for work and other scheduled obligations. If we were to send students back home, many students would return to unsupervised bus stops and empty homes. All of our buildings have emergency generators and systems as well as extra food and water· to ensure student safety and comfort. Our schools are safe places even when there are power failures elsewhere in the community. School is the safest place to keep the children while we contact parents and make arrangements for a safe return home. Despite all of the high-tech equipment, it is difficult to predict the weather in Buffalo, New York.
Although we do our best in this process, we know that seldom is there a perfect decision about closing school. If you do not feel it is safe for your child to attend school, use your best judgement as to whether or not he or she should attend. Also, please discourage teenagers from driving in bad weather conditions.
I hope that this explanation helps everyone understand the process that we use to make the best possible decision about school closings.
Sincerely,
Timothy A. Oldenburg
Superintendent of Schools
To improve communication, the Tonawanda City School District utilizes a mass communication program, which is linked to our student record system. If you wish to receive text messages or emails, please verify your cell phone/email address is correct at your child's school closings.
To download a pdf of this letter, click here: Inclement weather letter