Now that we are into the winter season, it is a good idea to talk with children about cold weather safety.  Extra care is needed, especially with younger children, to be sure that frostbite and hypothermia are prevented.

Regardless of the age of your children, it is important to check their outerwear everyday during extreme weather conditions.  Warm jackets, hats, scarves, boots and an extra pair of dry gloves will protect them during extremely cold temperatures.

In addition, make an emergency plan and teach it to your children, in case you are not home when the bus comes to pick them up in the morning.  They need to know where, when and how to get help if they are waiting outside too long, or if they sense danger.  Tell your children how long they may wait outside, where to go in the event that the bus is delayed and what the dangers and risks of extreme weather are.

Tell your children to seek help if they:
• Get too cold or wet, especially their boots or gloves
• Feel pain or numbness anywhere, especially hands, feet, ears or nose
• Think they may have frostbite, which behaves like a burn and requires medical attention

Please be aware that schools are not likely to close for cold weather conditions unless other factors are at hand.  Therefore, unless local wind chill readings are between -20 and -40 degrees below zero, parents should be aware that schools are likely to remain open. 

Should the District decide to delay or cancel school, the decision will be communicated to parents via the District’s mass communication calling system, over local radio and television stations and the District’s Information Hotline at 624-7152.  School closings and delays will also be posted on the District’s website at www.hflcsd.org.  We encourage you to make our website the first place you look for accurate school closing information.

Stay warm and safe.  Happy winter!
 
Michelle Kavanaugh, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools