February 2, 2022
Dear Families,
We’ve gotten a bit out of practice during the last two years about how snow days may occur, and it seems timely to reiterate how we handle weather that impacts our school days.
Columbus Academy makes decisions independently regarding whether or not to have school even when low temperatures, snow accumulation and wind chills compromise the busing from numerous school districts.
“Cold Days” exist when school districts around us close due to wind chill factors at the time of bus pickup in the morning. We may not make that same decision to close because of the temperature. If we choose to have school on a day when buses do not run from school districts, we hope that you can find an alternative form of transportation. However, your children’s safety is most important, and the decision about whether or not your children should go to school that day remains – as always – yours as parents/guardians. Your children will not be penalized in any way.
When there is inclement weather and you plan to be late in getting your children to school or feel that it is safer for your children to be at home, all we ask is that you please notify us via the SchoolPass app. If that method is not feasible, please contact the appropriate division office(s):
“Snow Days” are a little different because decisions to close school are often related to the condition of the roads at the time of the morning commute. So we may enact a “delayed start” when it appears that the difficulty of getting to school has more to do with the road conditions at an appointed hour than the likelihood that they will be compromised throughout the morning. The same allowances for absences and tardiness will be given for delayed-start days as well.
Finally, when making decisions about closing school, we factor in the conditions on campus (the amount of maintenance and snow removal that can be achieved by 7:00 a.m.) and on the surrounding roads in Gahanna. If we decide to close or have a delayed start, you will be notified via our EverBridge emergency contact system usually with an automated phone call very early in the morning. The local media are also notified so you can check their listings as well. We cannot know what the conditions are in every neighborhood and hope you will use your best judgment when attempting to get to school if the decision is to hold classes.
Please know that we believe there are few things as wonderful as the serendipity of a sudden day off – for both students and faculty! However, if we have to take multiple days off for weather, we may ask students (particularly in Upper School and Middle School) to do work at home.
I hope you all get a chance to be outside in the wonderful winter white before it vanishes all too soon!
My best,
Head of School
