Winter is coming and that means it’s time to prepare for snow and cold temperatures.  

Color Changing Signs Show Threat for Ice

A new addition for winter safety at SPPS includes Ice Alert signs. The signs are being piloted at 10 schools and are mounted between the staff parking lots and the main entrance of each school. They feature a temperature-sensitive indicator that turns from silver to blue when temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Jeff Connell, the district’s Environmental Services Manager, said the signs are a great way to remind people that icy conditions may be present. When the signs are blue, he advises everyone to step carefully, hold onto hand railings where possible, and be conscious of the pavement underfoot. If the signs prove effective at reducing ice-related slips and falls this winter, they may be installed at other sites across the district.

The sites selected to receive Ice Alert signs had the highest occurrences of ice-related slips and falls over the past three years.

• American Indian Magnet

• Bridgeview/Focus Beyond/Administration

• Bruce Vento Elementary

• Como Park Senior

• District Service Facility

• Highland Park Elementary

• Humboldt Secondary

• Johnson Senior High

• Obama Elementary

• The Heights Community School

The 2016-17 Winter Weather Plan is now available and includes an important update.

New This Year: Some schools will now dismiss 30 minutes early on days that after-school activities are canceled due to weather. This change only applies to schools that dismiss at 2 p.m. A 1:30 p.m. early dismissal will help prevent bus delays and allow more time between later afternoon routes. All other schools will dismiss at their regular time. Review the full Winter Weather Plan for more details.

In general, school or activities will be canceled if temperature and wind chill levels become dangerously cold, or if snow accumulation creates hazardous driving and walking conditions. The three main categories for cancellations include:

Cold

• The decision to cancel school for students due to cold weather will be made by 6:30 p.m. the night before.

Snow

• The decision to cancel school for snow or hazardous driving conditions will be made by 5 a.m. the morning of a cancellation.

Same-Day Weather Cancellations

• The decision to cancel most after-school activities when weather conditions are expected to worsen throughout the school day will be made by 10 a.m.

When severe winter weather is in the forecast, please tune into local television, radio and newspaper outlets for school closure updates. Notification will also be sent via phone, text and email, in addition to being posted on school websites and spps.org.

To ensure you receive important notifications, please check that your contact information is up to date. Every parent and guardian can update their information through Campus Portal or by calling their child’s school. Visit spps.org/onestop and use your One Stop parent/guardian username and password. You can update your phone number, email and home address. To receive text messages, please check that your primary number is a cell phone.

For more on the Winter Weather Plan (in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali or Karen), go to https://www.spps.org/winter.