Severe Weather
When severe
weather creates
hazardous conditions in Muscogee County, regular school scheduling may
be suspended. The first concern for making a decision to suspend school
system operations is the safety of our students.
Closing
the Schools
The decision for
closing
schools is made by the school superintendent. He is in contact
overnight
with those who monitor weather and safety reports. When possible, the
decision regarding
school system closing is made prior to 5:45 a.m. and sent to the news media.
This
information is normally broadcast on local radio and television
stations
and posted on the MCSD website's homepage by 6:15 a.m.
Sudden
Emergencies - Dismissal
MCSD school officials meet sudden emergencies during
the school day with concern for the safety of students and staff. The
MCSD school superintendent makes the decision whether or not to close
the schools. When severe weather watches or safety threats are
announced, immediate emergency procedures are taken for safety in
schools.
School principals make key decisions about the safety
of all students and personnel under their supervision.
Threat
Alerts
The
superintendent monitors
reports from federal, state, and local public safety agencies. If
a code orange or code red alert affects our schools, we will follow the
procedures of the District's Emergency LightHouse Plan. |
 |
Parents'
Responsibilities
It is the
responsibility
of the parents to monitor local news reports or to check the MCSD
website
to find out if the schools will open or if the students will be
dismissed because of an emergency.
If the students are dismissed during the day, they will be transported
to their normal bus stops. Parents are responsible for their
children.
If a parent cannot be at home, alternate arrangements should be made
now
for such situations.
Make-Up
Days
If it is necessary to close schools due to inclement
weather or safety threats, the Board will decide how to handle the
student
days within state guidelines.
Columbus' Outdoor
Emergency Siren
The Outdoor Emergency Siren System brochure (pdf
file) from the Columbus Consolidated Government outlines
- Siren site locations within the
city
- Siren voice messages and tones
- Facts and statistics for the
emergency warning system
Other Weather Links
MCSD
Employee Reporting
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Page Updated
08/10/2007
Georgia
Emergency Management Agency
Department of Homeland Security
Federal
Emergency Management Agency
U.
S. Department of Education Emergency Planning
