School Closing Information
Walled Lake Consolidated Schools understands the decision to open or close our schools has a tremendous impact on our families. We assure you that the safety of our students, staff and families is the top priority when it comes to making the tough decision to open or close school.
Who makes the decision?
The superintendent of schools makes the final decision about school closings based on multiple factors:
- Amount of snow or ice accumulated
- Road conditions (in conjunction with local meteorologists and our transportation department)
- School building conditions (power, water, heat, parking lot, etc.)
- Temperature and wind chill
- Whether the snow or ice will continue throughout the day
How will families be notified?
School closing information will be sent to all families via SchoolMessenger. It will also be posted on the district website and on all district social media accounts.
As a member of the Detroit Media School Closings Alliance, school closing announcements (when closing is due to inclement weather) will be broadcast on all local television and radio stations within minutes of the decision. The Detroit Media School Closings Alliance consists of WJBK-TV, WDIV-TV, WXYZ-TV, WWJ-TV, WKBD-TV, WWJ Newsradio 950 and News/Talk WJR-AM 760.
Family's Decision
While we do our best to make the right decision, you always have the right to keep your child at home if you feel it is not safe for them to attend school.
Two-Hour Delay
On rare occasions, morning conditions occur that temporarily prevent the district from safely transporting students, or requiring students to wait at a bus stop or walk to school. These conditions typically involve thick fog, winter weather or utility problems. Historically, these situations required the cancelation of school for the entire day, but Walled Lake Consolidated Schools has developed a two-hour delay procedure that could be used if conditions are expected to improve within two hours. This procedure, which will be used sparingly, will permit students to get to school safely and allow the district to conduct a credited day of school.
Parents are encouraged to develop a plan so their children can safely stay home for an additional two hours in the morning and have them go to a trusted alternate location to await the start of a delayed school day.