|
When the Superintendent makes the decision for irregular dismissal of school due to bad weather or for other reasons, the district will contact the emergency notification center who contacts the broadcast stations listed on this page and will notify parents/guardians by using SchoolReach (see information below).
Parents need only listen to the named stations for repeated announcements concerning the closing of school.
Families may sign up for KMBC Channel 9's school cancellation email and text pager / phone notification by visiting www.thekansascitychannel.com and selecting "weather" and then "school closings."
Please do not call the school during bad weather conditions except for emergencies.
SchoolReach enhances communication
The Pleasant Hill R-III School District is continually striving to improve communication between the school and parents, utilizing technologies such as SchoolReach is one way the District can communicate with parents in a quick, efficient manner. The recorded phone service can be used for both community-outreach calls and emergency-notification calls. The service was initiated in the 2005-06 school year as a pilot program in the Middle School. After a successful pilot program, the district implemented the service district wide in the 2006-2007 school year.
The system enables school personnel to notify all parents by phone within minutes of an emergency or unplanned event that causes early dismissal, school cancellation or late start. The service has proven effective in communicating emergency information and notification of school closings. The service will call all parents in the district within 10 minutes and will recall when the line is busy, or no answer and will leave a message on answering machines or voice mail. Parents of students directly affected by the emergency will be notified by a member of district personnel.
Principals will continue to use the recorded telephone service to contact parents from time-to-time to communicate general announcements or reminders.
When the Superintendent makes the decision for irregular dismissal of school due to bad weather or for other reasons, the district contacts the emergency notification center who contacts the broadcast stations listed on page 3. As was the procedure last year, snow-day calls will go out as soon as the decision is made.
Parents are urged to provide schools with updated information for any phone numbers that change throughout the year.
R-III School District to use ‘snow routes’
Pleasant Hill R-III School District encompasses approximately 75 square miles. During inclement weather, road conditions usually vary widely from one area to another. This sometimes makes for a difficult decision on whether to close or delay school. Beginning this year, on a trial basis, the District will utilize snow routes when appropriate.
A snow route is a modified bus route that generally runs on main roads rather than side streets or through neighborhoods where driving a school bus may not be possible during severe weather. Snow routes will be used when main roads are clear enough for safe travel but side roads are not as clear. If snow routes are in effect, some students will have to catch their bus at alternate stops. On snow route days, to avoid confusion, students will be returned after school to their snow route stops regardless of changes in the weather.
Depending on where you live, a snow route may or may not be necessary.
The decision to use snow routes, cancel, or delay school is made by 5:30 am. The district will then contact the emergency notification center who contacts TV broadcast stations. Parents/guardians will also be notified by SchoolReach, the recorded phone service. Parents are urged to provide schools with updated information for any phone numbers that change throughout the year.
Attendance must still be taken on these days but we encourage parents to use their best judgment in deciding if they should bring their children to a bus stop or school. We also encourage inexperienced school age drivers to ride with adults or on the bus during this time.
These situations disrupt family schedules and we appreciate your patience during severe weather conditions. We recognize the importance of having children in school on a regular schedule with quality learning time, but be assured our top concern is always the safety of students and staff.