WEATHER-RELATED SCHOOL CLOSING PROTOCOLS In the

2012-2013 Academic School Year
WEATHER-RELATED SCHOOL CLOSING PROTOCOLS
In the event schools must be closed because of a snowstorm or other inclement weather, we
will follow many of Racine Unifiedʼs procedures because many families depend on the busing
system to transport their children to and from school.
Once it has been determined that the School will be closed or there will be a delayed starting
time, the message on the main School phone line (262.260.3845) will be changed to reflect this
decision. A notice typically will be posted on the home page of the School's web site
(www.prairieschool.com), barring any unforeseen technical delays.
FULL DAY CLOSING:
The decision to close the School will be made early in the morning, and radio and TV stations
will be notified that the School will be closed.
DELAYED START:
• If a delayed opening is announced, students who use Racine Unified school bus
transportation should be at their bus stop either one or two hours later - depending on the
announced delay. Parents whose children normally take Unified buses may choose to drive
their children to School as faculty will be on campus to welcome and supervise students at
8:00 a.m., no matter what Racine Unifiedʼs announced delay period may be.
• For Primary School, the Early Day Program will begin receiving children at 8:00 a.m.
regardless of the length of delay.
• Middle School will welcome students as early as 8:00 a.m. as well. Middle School students
who arrive then should report to the Student Research Center (SRC).
• Upper School will welcome students as early as 8:00 a.m. as well. Upper School students
should report to the US Commons.
• The Stay & Play and Stay & Study program services will remain available to children in the
afternoon until the last child is picked up by parents. Parents are encouraged to pick up their
children as soon as they can so that Prairie staff can travel home safely as well.
The following media will be notified of school closings or delayed starts:
WTMJ 620 AM*
WLWK 94.5 FM (Lake 94.5 FM)*
WKLH 96.5 FM
WJMR 98.3 FM (Jamminʼ 98.3 FM)
WHQG 102.9 FM (The Hog 102.9 FM)
WZBK 106.9 FM (Big Buck Country 106.9 FM)
Channel 4 WTMJ-TV*
Channel 6 WITI/FOX-TV
Channel 12 WISN-TV*
Channel 58 WDJT-TV
* Also offer e-mail and/or text alerts. See individual stations for more details.
4050 Lighthouse Drive • Racine, Wisconsin 53402 • 262-260-3845 • Fax 262-260-3790 • www.prairieschool.com
2012-2013 Academic School Year
EARLY OR MID-DAY DISMISSAL
These early dismissal protocols and procedures are designed with the needs of Prairie families
foremost in our mind. We are aware that many families lack alternative care for their children
during their parentsʼ workday. By remaining open on early-dismissal days, we intend to provide
safe and reliable care for our students and their families. In the event that the Racine Unified
School District releases students early due to inclement weather, Prairie follows the following
protocols:
•
Prairie intends to remain open and in session until the end of the school day
regardless of whether other schools choose to close early. Buses will leave from Prairie
at the usual time at the dayʼs end. (In the rare event of a major weather emergency, parents
would be contacted to facilitate an early closure if possible.)
•
Stay & Play and Stay & Study will remain open until the last child is picked up. Parents are
encouraged to pick up their children as soon as they can so that Prairie staff can travel
home safely.
•
A student may ride home/car pool with another student or a parent of another student if his/
her parent grants permission by emailing or calling their division office.
•
An Upper School student who drove to School will be allowed to leave before the end of the
school day if that studentʼs parents grant permission by emailing or calling the Upper School
office.
Division contact information:
• Upper School: wbishop@prairieschool.com or 260.6800
• Middle School: cschmidlkopfer@prairieschool.com or 260.4397
• Primary School: rcoy@prairieschool.com or 260.4394
4050 Lighthouse Drive • Racine, Wisconsin 53402 • 262-260-3845 • Fax 262-260-3790 • www.prairieschool.com