How To Find Out If School Is Closed

As winter weather sets in, we would like to remind you of our school closing notification procedures and formats in the event that the schools are closed due to weather.

Internet:
Information about school closing will be posted on the home page of our website: http://www.a2schools.org. Any school closing notice will also appear on each school's homepage.

Telephone
The School Closing Hotline number is (734) 994-8684

Television Stations
WDIV Channel 4
WXYZ Channel 7

Radio Stations
WAAM 1600 AM
WTKA 1050 AM
WQKL 107.1 FM
WUOM 91.7 FM
WEMU 89.1 FM
WJR 760AM
WWJ 950 AM

How Does The Ann Arbor Public Schools Make a "Snow Day" Decision?

From Brad Mellor, Director of Transportation

Throughout the evening weather conditions are monitored via Internet, TV, radio, and an informal network of other transportation directors throughout the area. If warranted a call is made to the district's snow routes team to go into action.

Before 3 AM, three transportation Supervisors and a veteran bus driver meet with the director of transportation at the transportation terminal. Each of these 4 individuals is a highly experienced driver, with many years behind the wheel of a school bus.

By 3:15 A.M., they're on the road in 4 different buses.

Over the next hour or so, the buses will follow 4 predetermined routes to the 4 corners of the district. The drivers radio back comments from locations along the route, which are recorded in the dispatch center. At the same time, the director of transportation will be fielding more cell calls from the other districts. (Other local districts seems to want to know what Ann Arbor is going to do before they make their decision!)

Our team will drive well-lit city avenues, the interstate highway, and some remote gravel roads. They'll stop and walk the sidewalks at schools, and check the conditions in subdivisions and neighborhoods.

By 4:00 A.M. the drivers will report back to the transportation terminal. Each driver will be polled and record their perceptions. The only question is "Can we safely open school, and get them back home?"

One last tour of the cell phone circuit to other schools, and then it's time to wake up the Superintendent. The Superintendent will be presented with a recommendation based on all input and evidence. After reviewing all the information the Superintendent makes the final decision.

This is the process used to determine the viability of the area roads to deliver AAPS students safely to and from school.

No School - Monday, April 6

Monday, April 6, 2009:
Ann Arbor Public Schools is closed today due to the weather.

School Closed - 1/16/09

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed today due to wind chill temperatures below -20 °F.

Drop-off and Pick-Up - Cold Weather Update

Good afternoon! I hope you are warm! At school we are all pretty warm since we stayed inside for lunch recess :-)

Despite our relative warmth inside the school, the temperatures outside have plummeted (obviously) and caused some to think about drop-off/pick-up safety and/or whether or not school can be canceled because it is too cold.

First, safety needs to be on our minds at all times during drop-off and pick-up at King. As a community we have done a GREAT JOB of following the drop-off/pick-up policy; however, temperatures of 5 °F and lower have caused almost twice as many cars at King in the morning than on other days. To help, please do the following if you drop-off and/or pick-up at King in the next 8 - 10 weeks:

1. Above all else, you'll need to be patient while dropping-off or picking-up. With as many cars as we have in front right now, it is going to take a bit longer to get in and out. If your child is older and/or able, you might consider dropping them off a block or so away from school letting them walk to school. Thank you for your cooperation.
   
2. Follow the drop-off/pick-up policy. This IS a requirement. From some of what I saw happening over the last few days in the drop-off zone (writing a note to child's teacher, backing up, not pulling forward as far as possible, dropping a child off from the left-hand lane), it looks like there are some new parents to the drop-off/pick-up zone. Please read the policy and follow it.
   
3. Emphasize after-school procedures with your child. Make sure your child knows where they are going after school (bus, KingCare, walking, picked up).
   

Secondly, there have been questions about whether or not school can be closed due to cold weather. The AAPS policy states that schools will be closed if sustained wind chill temperatures are -20 °F or below. Over the last 18 years, I can recall two occasions when the AAPS closed because it was too cold. Essentially this would happen to protect students when it is not safe to walk to school or wait at the bus stop for the required amount of time. As in all school closing situations, decisions are made as early as possible. I will post information on the King website and will send out an email to the community whenever school is closed.

I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Kevin

School Closed - 12/19/08

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed today, 12/19/08, due to the weather. Please have a restful and safe break.

Weather and SNOWMAN HOLIDAY GIVING UPDATE

Given the weather forecast for tonight and its potential impact on school being open tomorrow, it is my hope that snowman gifts will be turned in to the school office today (Thursday) by 4:30 PM.

If this is not possible, we'll work it out one way or another . . . email me or call school today and I will make a plan with you about what to do. :-)

On behalf of the King PTO and the King staff, I am deeply thankful for the generosity our community shows in helping others. The snowman gifts are an excellent example of how King School has been a community leader in this area. I personally know our example is recognized by the Ann Arbor Educational Foundation and members of other area PTOs have discussed how to follow our example. Nice job!

As for the weather and school closings, any decisions about school cancellations will be posted on the school website. I'll do my best to send a community email quickly also. In addition, the information I've shared previously about school closings should still be helpful.


Sincerely,
Kevin

School Office Closed For Summer

The King School office closed for the summer on June 23 and will reopen for registration of new students on August 12.

School Closed - March 5, 2008

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed today, March 5, 2008, due to the weather.

School Closed - February 1, 2008

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed on Friday, February 1 due to inclement weather.

School Closed - 12/17/2007

Due to the weather conditions, the Ann Arbor Public Schools will be closed on Monday, December 17, 2007.

School Closing Information

If it becomes necessary to close school because of weather or emergency, information will be shared in the following ways:

• District website: http://www.aaps.k12.mi.us
• District hotline: 994-8684
• Television:
• WJBK - Channel 2
• WDIV - Channel 4
• WXYZ - Channel 7

• Radio:
• Ann Arbor
  
• WAAM - 1600 AM
• WUOM - 91.7 FM
• WEMU - 89.1 FM
• WQKL -107.1FM
• WWWW - 102.9 FM
• WTKA - 1050 AM
• WLBY - 1290 AM
  
• Detroit Radio:
  
  • WJR - 76 AM
  • WWJ - 950 AM
  • WDTW - 106.7 FM
  • WNIC - 100.3FM
  • WDFN - 1130 AM
  • WDTW - 1310 AM