Delays and Closings

Concern for the safety of our students is the guiding factor in all decisions regarding school closures. Southfield Public Schools makes decisions to close or stay open in consultation with district administrators, professional weather consultants, transportation services and Oakland County administrators.

State of Michigan “Snow Day” Provision

Public Schools are allowed 30 instructional hours lost due to conditions outside the control of school authorities, such as severe storms, fire, epidemics, or other health conditions to be counted toward the 1,098-hours of pupil instruction.

Unsafe Weather Guidelines Related to Temperature

  • On days when the temperature and/or wind chill are below 20ºF: Students will not have recess outside.
  • On days when the temperature and/or wind chill are below -20ºF (20 below zero) schools will be closed, based on forecasts by the National Weather Service

Closing Protocol for Early Morning Notification Related to General Weather Conditions

1. When the weather prediction calls for potentially hazardous conditions due to inclement weather, the Superintendent,  SPS Associate Superintendent for Administrative Services, and the Maintenance and Transportation, will begin monitoring conditions starting late in the evening/early morning hours.

a. District transportation supervisors drive a variety of roads across the district early morning

b. The district monitors conditions at each school building

c. National Weather Service consultant and district transportation services are consulted regarding road conditions

2. County superintendents conduct a conference call to discuss the possible need for closing schools based on the conditions of roads, schools driveways, sidewalks and the weather forecast.

3. The decision to close is confirmed generally no later than 6 a.m. the day of, and communicated to staff and parents by 6:30 a.m.  

School Closing Information 

School closings (due to weather conditions) will be posted on the district’s web site and Facebook page. Staff and families will be notified via a phone call by 6:30 a.m. if school is closed for the day. You can also find this information aired on the following local television and talk radio stations: WJBK-TV2, WDIV-TV4, WXYZ-TV7, WKBD-TV/CW50, WWJ-TV 62, WWJ 950 AM, WJR 760 AM.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Parents are requested to tune to any of these stations for the announcement rather than calling local schools, the district switchboard or the police department. Never dial 9-1-1 for school closing information.