Article 2 - School Day

Daily Schedule/Tardiness:

The Sutton Elementary School attendance day begins at 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.  Students are allowed to go to their classrooms beginning at 8:05 a.m.  Students should arrive at school in time to be seated in their classroom by 8:20 a.m.  When a child arrives at school late, it is advised that parents send a note to the teacher explaining the cause of the tardiness.  If a student arrives tardy, they need to stop in the office and check-in, and pick up a smiley-face pass, to give to their teacher, so that their teacher knows that they have checked-in.

Lunch Time:

Elementary students begin lunch at 10:55 a.m. and are finished at 11:45 a.m.  All K-6 students will stay in the cafeteria for 15 minutes.  Students are dismissed to the playground or to the gym, depending upon weather conditions.

Dismissal Time:

After school dismissal time for K-6 student body is 3:30 p.m.

Severe Weather and School Cancellations:

The Superintendent of schools is authorized by the Board of Education to close public schools in case of severe weather. Representatives of the Superintendent’s staff will notify local news media when inclement weather warrants such action. The information is broadcast regularly by radio station KAWL/KTMX (1370 AM/105FM) York, television station KHAS (Channel 5) Hastings, and www.cancellations.com.

Decision to Close Schools.  A decision to close school is made when forecasts by the weather service and civil defense officials indicate that it would be unwise for students to go to school. If possible, a decision about the next school day will be made by 9 p.m. for announcement during the 10 p.m. news. An early decision is not always possible because of uncertain weather conditions. School officials will make periodic assessments of conditions during the night and will decide early in the morning (by 6 a.m. if possible). In any case, an announcement will be made to the news media when schools will be closed. In some instances, schools will be open, but certain services may be cancelled (bus transportation, kindergarten, student activities). Announcements about other Nebraska school closings are included in Lincoln radio and television broadcasts. Students and parents will want to pay special attention to which public school district is being closed.

After School Starts. Every attempt will be made to avoid closing school once classes are in session. In some instances closing school during the day is inevitable if children are to safely return home before the brunt of a major storm hits. In these cases as much advance notice as possible will be given to parents. If school is closed during the day the notice will be broadcast by the media and parents should have a plan in place to accommodate these circumstances.

Parental Decisions. Parents may decide to keep their children at home in inclement weather because of personal circumstances.  Students absent because of severe weather when school is in session will be marked absent. The absence will be treated like any other absence for legitimate causes provided parents properly notify the school of their decision. Parents may pick up their children in inclement weather at any time during the school day. Students will not normally be dismissed from school during severe weather on the basis of a telephone request.

What Not To Do.Parents should not attempt to come to school during a tornado warning. School officials are not permitted to release students from the school building during a tornado warning. Tornado safety procedures are practiced regularly by students and staff members. Also, parents are urged not to call radio and television stations and school buildings during severe weather. Every effort will be made to provide accurate and timely information through the media.

Emergency Conditions. Sutton Public Schools has a signal which, when activated, includes the necessity to either evacuate the building or to move to safer areas of the building.  All regular drills are held as required by law through the school year.  There are plans for Emergency Exit system, Tornado Warning System, and Critical Incident Response.

Emergency Drills In case of emergency situations, Sutton has developed plans for shelter and evacuation of the building with civil defense agencies and the State Fire Marshall.  Part of the plans include practice drills to insure that all parties know the proper procedures to follow in case of emergency.  Fire drills will be conducted monthly, without advance warning by the ringing of the alarm bell.  Storm procedures will be practiced each year, and Sutton will participate in the statewide Tornado Preparedness Day with a practice drill.