8420A - SEVERE WEATHER AND TORNADOES
The Corporation faces the possibility of severe weather and tornadoes. Each school is to monitor a weather-alert radio for severe weather conditions and each principal or supervisor is responsible for setting up procedures for notifying their staff and students about severe conditions and maintaining proper safety.
Predicted Unusual Severe Weather Event
Under all but the most extreme conditions, school officials have a responsibility to keep school in session. On rare occasions when forecasts predict unusual severe weather with a high potential for damage or disruption of transportation, the Corporation, when advised by the Floyd County Emergency Management Agency, may close school for the day of the predicted event.
Tornado Watch
A tornado watch is a forecast of the possibility of one or more tornadoes in a large area. When a tornado watch is in effect, the Corporation will continue normal activities but move recess and physical education activities indoors. Each building and department shall designate someone to be responsible for continuously monitoring the watch while students are in the building or on the premises.
Tornado Warning
A tornado warning signals that a tornado has been sighted and may be approaching.
The tornado warning signal is intermitting ringing of the bell system and/or an announcement on the public address system.
Initial Procedures
Staff shall proceed with all students to the predesignated tornado shelter areas and remain there with the students until further notice.
All groups outside the building are to return to the school and go to their designated shelter area.
Release of Students to Parents/Guardians
The first responsibility for the principal or supervisor is for the safety of all students and staff. If time and conditions allow, the principal may release individual students to parents while under a tornado warning if it is not disruptive to the shelter procedure and does not jeopardize the safety of other students and staff.
No student shall be allowed out of his/her designated area unless his/her parent/guardian comes to the school and requests that the student be released. A student is to be released only to his/her parents/guardian.
The parent/guardian must follow the school sign-out procedure.
Shelter Procedures
Students shall line the interior hallways as quickly and safely as possible away from glass and sit with their backs to the interior wall, knees drawn tightly to their chests, face positioned between their knees, and their hands over their necks. Students in wheelchairs are to remain in their chairs with the back of the chair against the interior wall.
If feasible, parents and visitors will be located in a designated shelter area separate from students.
Students shall remain quiet to wait for instructions.
Staff members shall remain alert for students who evidence signs of stress or panic, and when necessary, move such students to an area where they will not influence other students and remain with them until the all-clear signal is given.
The building administrator shall give the all-clear signal and provide further directions.
Areas to be avoided:
Second and third floors of multistory buildings.
Spaces that are opposite doorways or openings into rooms that have windows in the exterior walls, and areas with large roof spaces.
Interior locations that contain glass, such as doors, windows, display cases and the like.
Areas where doors swing. When the storm hits, the doors are likely to swing violently.
Any wall which is nonload-bearing.
Corridor intersections (stay at least ten (10) feet away).