Some St. Clair County schools alter afternoon plans due to severe weather forecast
With the National Weather Service’s St. Louis office forecasting thunderstorms in the metro area from late morning into the early evening — including damaging winds, large hail and strong tornadoes — some metro-east school districts are altering their afternoon and evening plans.
The St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency talked with the Regional Superintendent of Schools this morning, assistant director Bryan Whitaker said during a severe weather update on the agency’s Facebook page. Schools are activating their emergency management plans, and some are canceling after-school activities or dismissing early.
“But understand, schools are safe spaces for our children. They have good disaster plans. They have shelters they can go to,” Whitaker said.
Freeburg 70 is dismissing early, Superintendent Melanie Brink announced on the district’s Facebook page. Parent pick-up times began at 12:15 and buses dismissed from school at 12:30.
“The storms are expected to hit us right at dismissal time and our staff and student’s safety is always our biggest concern. Parents may choose to pick up their child at any time today after receiving this message which would be considered an excused absence,” Brink wrote.
Smithton 130 is also dismissing early at 12:30 p.m., according to a post on the district’s Facebook page. More information has been sent to families via text and email.
Belleville 118 has canceled all after-school and evening activities, Superintendent Ryan Boike said, but latchkey services will continue as scheduled. He said the district is not sending students home early and will continue to evaluate things.
East St. Louis 189 has similarly canceled all after-school and evening activities.
Mascoutah 19 is monitoring the forecast, the district said on Facebook. Parents who wish to pick up their children early can do so and students’ absences will be excused.
If a severe storm disrupts the release of students, the district is preparing for extended time in the schools until students can be safely transported.
Nearby, Scott Air Force Base has gone into a “mission essential status,” releasing non-mission essential personnel.
O’Fallon 90 said on Facebook that if storm sirens are initiated during student dismissal, it will hold buses and shelter in place at the school. Students would not be released to parents, but parents may enter the building to shelter.
Elementary after-school care and tuition preschool programs will continue as planned. All junior high after-school activities have been cancelled.
O’Fallon 203 is doing the same as the elementary school district. “If storm sirens are activated during student dismissal, OTHS will hold buses and shelter in place at school. For student safety, students are not permitted to leave the building during a shelter-in-place,” the district said in a Facebook post.
This story may be updated with other school districts. If yours is releasing early or altering after-school plans, email BND reporter Kelly Smits at ksmits@bnd.com.
