Deer season (bow) has arrived and youth season is just a couple of short weeks away, the leaves are about to fall, and it's beginning to feel like winter weather is just around the corner! As we head into the colder months, I want to share a quick reminder of how we handle snow days, late starts, and other weather-related decisions. Hopefully this helps make those unpredictable mornings a little easier for everyone.
Nothing has really changed from last year — but it’s always good to refresh how things work.
How Weather Decisions Are Made
I monitor the weather closely as systems move toward our area.
Early in the morning (or late at night, when necessary), I’ll be in contact with Joe Nuener and our bus company team, as well as others across Osage County, to check road conditions firsthand. If our buses cannot make it- we won't either.
If it’s clear that roads will be unsafe the evening prior, I’ll do my best to announce a closing the night before by 8:00 p.m. I think that will help you plan.
If weather moves in overnight, decisions will be shared by 6:00 a.m. after I’ve been out checking conditions- earlier if I can move the process along.
These calls are never easy and sometimes the weather changes at the last minute, but I’ll always do my best to make the safest decision possible for our students and staff.
How We’ll Communicate
You’ll hear from us in several ways:
The district website and Facebook page
Text and email alerts sent to all families
TV Channels 8 and 13
Zimmer Radio stations (about 10 total)
If you haven’t updated your phone number or email, please contact your school office so we can make sure you receive messages right away.
What Happens When School Is Closed
In most cases, all after-school activities and events will be cancelled.
If roads clear up later in the day, we’ll evaluate whether certain events can continue and will send updates from our Activities Department.
Distance learning will not be used on snow days unless we face an unusually high number of cancellations later in the year. Please reference our handbooks for additional details. Snow days always have a little Christmas magic in them; if conditions warrant a snow day, I want our kids to enjoy that magic if we can.
Two-Hour Late Start Plan
When we announce a two-hour late start, here’s what you can expect:
Bus routes will run exactly two hours later than normal.- Pre-K morning classes will be cancelled.
Breakfast will be grab-and-go; lunch will be served as usual.
Dismissal will still be at 3:45 p.m.
Activities will proceed as planned unless additional bad weather develops.
A Few Final Thoughts
Our top priority is safety. While we do our best to check roads across the district, it’s impossible to see every area. If you believe your route isn’t safe, please make the best decision for your family — your child’s safety always comes first, and we’ll help them catch up when they return.
We’ll also continue to coordinate with Mrs. Grellner at St. George so our shared families get consistent updates.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate Missouri weather together. Until the snow and ice arrive, enjoy the cool fall days — and as always, have a terrific Wildcat day!
Winter wishes,
Bob