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Santa Fe Trail Schools

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Inclement Weather Procedures

USD 434 SANTA FE TRAIL

Inclement Weather Procedures

USD 434 recognizes that having snow days can be both exciting and difficult for families based on their various needs. Please have a proactive plan in place for childcare when our district makes the decision to close due to weather. The district wants to emphasize that student, staff, and family safety is our top priority.

The Superintendent and Director of Transportation monitor road conditions in a very large geographic district that spans 201 square miles, four counties, and three communities. We also have numerous staff members who commute from Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City, and other surrounding cities. City sidewalks, parking lots, temperatures, district buses and vehicles, and forecasts are also monitored for decision-making. All of these factors are taken into consideration when safety is at stake. Thank you for understanding our process and procedures during these difficult decisions.

School Closures Due to Weather Conditions

  • The Superintendent of Schools makes the decision to close school due to weather. School closures will also likely cancel all school activities and community groups that use our facilities on those days. If the weather significantly changes throughout the day, it will be at the discretion of the administration to allow activities to be held as optional for students. We will communicate time changes, transportation supports, and other information that may apply to those activities.
  • Winter weather communication will be sent via ParentSquare (text, email, social media), the school website, and area news media such as WIBW and KSNT. We will communicate before 10 p.m. if confident of weather conditions; otherwise, we will communicate by 5:30 a.m. on the morning of closure. Our goal is to inform you the night before to support families. Please make sure that current phone numbers and email addresses are on file in PowerSchool. Please contact sfthelpdesk@usd434.us if you need support making those changes.
  • If there is a need for a delayed start, we will let families know as early as possible. A delayed start will only be an option if we have appropriate staffing, roads are drivable but extra time is needed for some routes, and scheduling is conducive.
  • Parents may choose to keep their children home for health and safety reasons. Please contact your child’s school to report their absence.

Early Release Due to Weather During School Hours

  • The district will try to avoid unexpected early dismissals. On occasion, early dismissal is unavoidable. Parents should make prior arrangements for the supervision of their children.
  • It is important for schools to be able to reach parents and designated childcare providers during daytime hours. Please make sure that current phone numbers and email addresses are on file in PowerSchool. Please contact sfthelpdesk@usd434.us if you need support making those changes.
  • When it is necessary to dismiss children early during a regular school day, the district will contact parents via ParentSquare (text, email) and area media outlets. If weather conditions worsen and schools remain open, parents may choose to pick up their children early after informing school staff.

Snow Routes

Important information for parents

  • Purpose: Ensure the safe transportation of students during winter weather conditions.
  • Activation: Snow routes will be implemented when weather conditions make normal routes unsafe. Parents will be asked to meet the bus at a designated pick-up area.
  • Designated Pick Up Areas: Determined by drivers, located as close as possible to the original route, and designed to reduce the need for buses to turn around in driveways or risky areas.
  • Safety Goal: Minimize the risk of buses getting stuck while students are onboard.
  • Communication: Route drivers will contact affected families soon to share specific pick-up area details.

Employee Duties

Only staff who are performing weather-related or time-sensitive tasks, as directed by their supervisor, report to work when schools are closed.

Winter Weather Safety

Please review these winter weather safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CDC Winter Weather Safety Tips (PDF)

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Santa Fe Trail District Page: @434SFT
Overbrook Attendance Center: @434OAC
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Santa Fe Trail High School: @434HS

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Website: Visit the USD 434 Santa Fe Trail website

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