Inclement Weather
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Please check that your contact information is up-to-date so you can receive important messages. Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal or contact your school.
Protocol for Closings Due to Inclement Weather
Inclement Weather Days are now Independent Learning Days/Synchronous Learning Days. Our teachers will use school-issued devices to deliver meaningful and standards-based instruction to students on days when we are unable to transport students to school due to the weather or other conditions. Independent Learning Day (or Asynchronous Learning) means assignments will be posted in the student's online learning platform (Canvas) and students complete and submit the assignments. Synchronous Virtual Learning means students will log into Teams meetings with their school-issued laptops/devices for live, online class instruction with their teachers and attendance will be taken.
Once families are notified of a school closure (notification by text, email, or recorded phone call, social media, news media, or school and district website), teachers and schools will communicate with students and families via regular methods such as Canvas or ParentSquare on whether it we be an Independent Learning Day or a Synchronous Virtual Learning Day and will give further instruction.
Independent Learning Day:
- Teachers will post assignments no later than one hour after the start of the school day.
- Students will complete the assignment as instructed. For links to Canvas and other student programs, click here. Parents can make a Canvas Observer Account so they can see their child's classroom assignments and teacher instructions.
- If students do not have internet access at home, they will be given two school days to complete and submit the assignments.
Synchronous Virtual Learning Day:
- Students will have live, online class instruction with their teachers by logging in to Teams meetings using their school-issued laptops/devices.
- Students and families will receive instruction on the schedule of classes and breaks.
- Attendance will be taken. Students are expected to have their laptop cameras on during Synchronous Learning.
For more details on Independent Learning Day (Asynchronous Virtual Learning) and Synchronous Virtual Learning Day, CLICK HERE.
Who is Watching the Weather?
During seasons of inclement weather, the superintendent and the administrative staff carefully monitor icy, wintry, or other weather that may create hazardous driving conditions. The administrative staff listens to weather forecasts, monitors conditions as reported by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and receives local road condition reports from the Rockdale County Sheriff's Department.
The director of transportation monitors and tests road conditions on bus routes as early as 4:30 a.m. Members of the administrative staff also consult with neighboring school systems to determine road conditions that may exist on roads that border other counties.
How is the Decision Publicized?
Rockdale County closings will be announced as soon as possible on the metropolitan broadcast media and district social media. Announcements concerning closing information will also be broadcast through our ParentSquare messaging system and posted on the main page of the system website.
Please note that we will not report that schools are open. On a scheduled school day, it should be understood that schools are open unless a closing notice has been announced on the local media and the school system website.
- ParentSquare (Text/Email/Phone System) - Log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to check that your contact information is up-to-date so you can receive important messages. Or contact your school during regular school hours to check that your contact information is up-to-date. Please note - it may take at least 24 hours for any updates to take effect. For RCPS Employees, log in to your Employee Self Service (ESS) to update your contact information or contact the HR Department. Please note - it may take at least 24 hours for any updates to take effect.
- Radio
WSB (AM 750) - Television
WAGA - Fox (5)
WGCL - CBS (46)
WSB - ABC (2)
WXIA - NBC (11) - RCPS Website
- Instagram
What Factors are Considered When Closing School?
Even if it looks clear on your street, dangerous conditions may exist in some other parts of the district. The school district takes all the following factors into consideration when deciding if it will be safe for children to attend school:
- information on road conditions from the director of transportation, law enforcement agencies, emergency management agencies, and GDOT
- weather predictions
- time snow or ice starts and the amount of accumulation expected
- temperature and wind-chill factor
- condition of side roads and sidewalks used by walkers
- condition of parking lots and school sidewalks
- condition of buildings (e.g., whether we have power and heat)
Who Makes the Final Decision?
The superintendent is responsible for making the final decision, based on the above factors and recommendations from the administrative staff.
When is the Decision Made?
Every effort is made to make the final decision by 6:00 a.m. so that the broadcast media can be promptly notified. The decision will also be posted on the system website as soon as feasibly possible.
What if School Opening is Simply Delayed?
If school opening is delayed, please follow the same routine/schedule as normal, but push back the school start time by the announced delayed time.
What if School Must Be Closed During the Day?
If conditions exist that cause the administration to feel that closing school earlier than normal dismissal times is necessary, all students will be sent home in the usual manner (e.g., bus, day-care vans, personal pick-up, etc.) unless other directions are on file with the teacher. It is impossible for the school staff to accept phoned-in directions during the emergency closings. Parents should plan ahead for the possibility of early school closings and have written directions on file with the school (e.g., change of person that will be handling personal pick-ups). Make sure that your child knows whom to go with, where to go, how to get there, and what to do upon arrival.
The public will be notified by the same channels listed above.
Closing Announcement Formats
"Rockdale County Schools Closed"
If this is the only statement, NO employees or students are to report to schools or work. Independent Learning Day or Synchronous Learning Day for students (see information at the top of the page).
"Rockdale County Schools Closed | All Employees Report"
This message includes all personnel, EXCEPT lunchroom personnel and school bus drivers. Independent Learning Day or Synchronous Learning Day for students.
"Rockdale County Schools Closed | All 12-Month Employees Report"
All 12-month employees are expected to report for work. A specific time to report may accompany this announcement. Independent Learning Day or Synchronous Learning Day for students
Employees: Please Note ~ Refer to Board Policy AFC-R to review guidelines concerning reporting attendance on days that warrant closing of schools.