Student safety is always our number one concern, and we will always err on the side of caution when making a decision to cancel school because of bad weather conditions. The rule of thumb that we use when making the decision to cancel school is when the ambient temperature and wind speed result in a wind chill temperature of -19*F. Under these conditions, exposed skin can freeze in 30 minutes. Other factors that are included in the decision-making process are snow accumulation, icing, temperature, road conditions, visibility, blowing snow, and weather forecasts.
The process, when making the decision to cancel school for weather conditions, is ongoing. Linden Schools is in constant contact with other local districts, the Genesee County Road Commission, our transportation department, local police departments, and we have individuals driving roads to help determine the conditions. Again, there is no exact science to making this decision. Student safety is our main concern.
Wind Chill Temperature Index
National Weather Service Wind Chill Brochure.
How do we communicate to you when school is canceled? In order to get the message out as quick as possible we will be using our all-call system. Other forms of communication that we will use include social media (Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter)), local media outlets (Channel 12, WNEM TV5, WXYZ Channel 7, and WHMI.
With cold weather right around the corner, be sure student(s) are appropriately dressed for the colder weather. Not only is this important for students who may have to wait at bus stops, but especially for those students who will be spending time outside during recess.
As you may already know, as outlined in our Student/Parent Handbook, Linden Community Schools has a procedure of sending all students outside for recess unless there is rainy weather, or the outdoor temperature or wind chill is below zero degrees. The building principal will make this decision.
We have found the most local weather application to determine temperature and wind chill is Weather Underground. This site allows us to use the most current weather station that is located right here in Linden (Chestnut Grove subdivision). It also seems to be updated much more frequently than other sites we have researched. Our building administrators monitor this before and during recess and then inform staff and students.
