Dear SBMS Families,
With rains expected tomorrow and Friday, we know there is great concern in our community right now. We have been in contact with local fire and emergency officials as well as the Sheriff's Office, and have the safety of our students, parents, and teachers in mind with each decision we make.
As no major rainfall accumulation is expected until tomorrow afternoon,
tonight's 6/7 Academic Fair will continue as scheduled. 6th Grade Academic Fair begins at 6 pm and 7th Grade Academic Fair begins at 6:30 pm. We hope all families are able to join us as our students have been working diligently to prepare for tonight!
We understand that some of our families may be making plans tonight to evacuate tomorrow. If your family is unable to attend tonight's Academic Fair, we understand and will create opportunities for students to present their projects at a later date. Please let us know if your 6th or 7th grade student/family is unable to attend tonight.
As I'm sure all of you are aware, the SB County Office of Emergency Management issued a Recommended Evacuation Warning yesterday which took effect this morning. The next stage of the 72- hour Storm Evacuation Timeline (see link below) is the issuing of a Mandatory Evacuation Order. From our conversations with Sheriff, fire and safety personnel, we believe that a Mandatory Evacuation Order will likely be issued later today, taking effect tomorrow morning. Should heavy rainfall occur tomorrow afternoon, there is a potential for Highway 101 to close as well.
For our families and staff living in an
evacuation area
, we understand you are likely already making plans to evacuate. Please let us know if you need assistance, and we hope everyone is able to adequately prepare today.
Please know that SBMS will remain open Thursday, March 1 and Friday, March 2.
Should Highway 101 close tomorrow, we understand that families may have difficulty getting to/from school and to/from locations to where you have evacuated. Please make plans as best possible given these uncertainties.
By remaining open, we bring a sense of normalcy for children who live in an evacuation area while also serving the students and parents who live outside these zones.
We will update our families should conditions change.
With the rainy season not over, we anticipate ongoing preparedness plans and communication with our families when rain events are anticipated. Until vegetation returns to the hillsides in our County, the potential for rain means increased evacuations for those in the risk areas, stretching from Santa Barbara to Carpinteria.
Please see the important links below, which we we hope will help you and your family as you make decisions regarding safety and evacuations. If getting your child to school presents a dangerous situation or your family is evacuating and can't get to school, please just let us know. Safety first!
Thank you to our tremendous community, our first responders, and our families who have given so much during these historic and life-changing events. If you need any help or can offer assistance, please see our school's
SBMS Cares: Haves & Needs page.
With love,
Your SBMS Family
