Severe Weather Procedures

Student and faculty safety is the first concern of Arab City Schools (ACS) when making decisions about school closings. ACS officials closely monitor weather reports and are in contact with Marshall County EMA, neighboring school systems, and the Arab Police Department. ACS will notify the public when severe weather requires that schools close, open with a delay, or dismiss early. ACS will contact the local media as soon as a decision has been made. Every effort will be made to notify parents utilizing the Blackboard phone system. No notification means schools are open. 

Delayed School - If severe weather begins during the night or early morning a decision may be made for school to be delayed for one to two hours. Bus routes will run in the normal order on a delayed schedule. Schools will follow a modified lunch and bell schedule. The end of the day car and bus schedule will not change. Before school Extended Day services will be cancelled.

Early Dismissal - If severe weather begins during the school day, a decision may be made regarding early dismissal. ACS officials will monitor the weather throughout the day to ensure student safety.  Bus routes will run in the same order as normally followed in the afternoon. Depending on conditions, arrival times at home may vary. After school Extended Day services will be cancelled.

School Closings – If schools must be closed, the school day will be made up later in the year. The first designated “inclement weather” day on the current school calendar will be used as the “make-up” day.

A few reminders:

• Parents are encouraged to keep contact information up to date in STI which feeds into the parent communication system.  To update any contact information please contact the local school office.

• All school closing information will state Arab City Schools.

• For student safety, parents are not allowed to check-out students during tornado warnings.

• The following radio/television stations will be contacted by ACS:

TV Stations: WHNT 19, WAAY 31, WAFF 48, FOX 54

Radio Stations: WRAB 1380 AM