Dear Gretna Public Schools Parents and Guardians,
We are reaching out with information in preparation for severe weather that often occurs in the spring. In the event of storm watches/warnings, our dismissal process is as follows:
PRIOR TO DISMISSAL (Students have not exited the building)
Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch – Students will be released at regular dismissal.
Thunderstorm Warning – Students will be released using discretion of direct impact. Any adjustments to dismissal will be communicated via the District Communication System through emails and text messages.
Tornado Warning – In alignment with our Standard Response Protocol (SRP), students and staff would take shelter and not be released until the tornado warning is canceled. All staff members take shelter. Staff may be unavailable to answer the door or phone. Any changes to this plan due to the duration of the tornado warning will be communicated via the District Communication System through emails and text messages.
DURING DISMISSAL (Students have already begun exiting the building)
Thunderstorm Watch or Tornado Watch – Normal dismissal.
Thunderstorm Warning – Normal dismissal using discretion of direct impact. With hail and/or dangerous winds, students who walk and ride buses may be brought back into the building to take shelter. Parents picking up students may come into the building to take shelter or proceed with taking their student(s) home.
Tornado Warning – Bus riders and students walking home will immediately be brought back into the building to take shelter. For students standing outside ready to be picked up by parents, we may proceed with a rapid dismissal (getting students to parents as quickly as possible) depending on the information available at the time. High school student drivers will be encouraged to return to the building to take shelter. Parents may also come into the building to take shelter. Once rapid dismissal is complete, all staff members will take shelter. Staff may be unavailable to answer the door or phone.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
During Watches, all outdoor activities (recess, physical education, etc.) will continue as planned. During Warnings, all students will remain inside.
For students who ride the bus, please keep in mind drop-off times may be delayed depending on the storm watch/warning timing.
Any after-school activity-related announcements will be communicated through coaches and on social media.