Inclement Weather
Emergency School Closure
This applies to:
Modification date
This policy is under review
Emergency school closure occurs when unforeseen circumstances such as broken water pipes, flooding, loss of power,severe weather, etc., warrant closure to be initiated during non-school hours. The decision to close the school is made through input from the administrators, our superintendent, and the Commander. An announcement of the closure will be broadcast on TV and/or radio, DNS, and through the base command units.
The DoDEA Notification System (DNS) allows for each school to contact all of their parents and/or staff with one phone message through an automatic dialing system. At the District level it allows a message to be sent to all parents and/or staff in the same method. This allows greater security and sharing of information with parents and staff. There is a Point of Contact (POC) at each location that has the necessary codes to access the system.
There are situations in which school may be canceled during school hours. Once again, this decision is made by the individuals stated above. Once the decision has been made to release students, staff members will alert all classrooms.Students who ride the bus will be released to board the bus at a set time. For those students who walk, ride a bike, or are picked up, they may be released once their parent/guardian has been contacted and agree with that process. If we are unable to reach a student's parent/guardian by the time teachers are released, the teacher will bring them to the office and the office staff will assist in contacting the parent. For these emergencies STUDENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO LEAVE SCHOOL GROUNDS WITHOUT THEIR PARENT/GUARDIAN BEING NOTIFIED. As stated before,please ensure all contact numbers are updated at all times with both your child's teacher and the school office.
Related regulations
School Closure
This applies to:
Modification date
This policy is under review
Emergency Closing
School closings will be messaged through AdHoc. The Superintendent will notify the Joint Public Affairs Office. School closings will be announced by the Joint Public Affairs Office on local radio and TV stations as well as on TV Channel 2 and Beaufort Approach (228-6028)., 98.3 FM, 98.7 FM, 107.9 FM,and 106.9 FM.
Please do not call the school (due to limited phone lines). Laurel Bay Schools are within the jurisdiction of the MCAS Official Destructive Weather Information Hotline System.
Current information regarding the operation of the Laurel Bay Schools, during periods of severe weather or other emergencies, may be accessed by calling 1-800-343-0639, and pressing "4" for Laurel Bay. This number is routinely updated and will provide information regarding the status of when school will resume.