Most people may not realize that the decision to close schools involves a checklist of factors that are considered before the final decision is made.
In the Parma City School District, those factors include:
- Are students who walk to and from school able to get there safely?
Temperature, wind chill factor, visibility, icy conditions and the clearance of sidewalks are all taken into consideration.
- Are conditions safe for buses to pick up and transport students to and from school?
- The Business Manager and/or members of his staff review the condition of the main roads since road conditions are of the utmost importance in this decision.
- Are school district staff members able to get into parking lots without presenting a safety hazard?
- The Superintendent (or designee) is in constant contact with the safety forces in the communities of Parma, Parma Heights and Seven Hills, as well as with the other area school district business and transportation departments.
In addition, the Superintendent (or designee) confers with neighboring school districts to determine if weather conditions are widespread enough to merit closing school. The decision to close school due to inclement weather is made as early as possible to allow parents the maximum amount of time to explore child care alternatives.
Parents are urged to listen to local radio stations or watch local television for school closing details. As soon as the official decision is made to close school, a special message will be placed on the Parma City School District Customer Service Line. You may call the Customer Service Line 440-885-8329, 24-hours a day.
In the event of inclement weather, the Parma City School District does not have a late opening / early dismissal schedule. In the event that schools are closed, all school-related events (e.g. night school, athletic events, practices, concerts) in the evening are also canceled.
Note: Calamity days encompass more than just snow days and inclement weather.
