Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Families,
We are closely monitoring the weather for tomorrow as severe thunderstorms are expected to roll into the area starting at 12 p.m. We are sharing the following information as a precautionary measure and to inform our families so that they can make the best decisions for them.
We want to remind all families of our lightning delay procedure and how it might impact dismissal. If families would like to come to pick up their students early, we would like to request that you do so before 1:30 p.m.
Lightening Delay Procedure:
STEM School Highlands Ranch will continue to follow Douglas County School practices and protocols, and we encourage families to use the WeatherBug app to monitor lightning strikes. If lightning is within a six-mile radius of our building at dismissal, we will hold students in their classrooms until the lightning has passed. Students over the age of 18 may leave if they choose.
The lightning is considered to have passed if, after 30 minutes, there is no lightning within a six-mile radius.
When a lightning dismissal is called, we will make an announcement inside the building, and send an email and text via school messenger. We may also use PikMyKid for Elementary Families.
We often need to call a lightning dismissal right at 2:20/2:30 p.m. for Elementary or 2:55 p.m. for Secondary, so texts and emails are sent as soon as possible. Please be sure to check IC to ensure you are signed up and subscribed to receive texts.
DCSD has made an important change to Lightning dismissal protocol: HS students under the age of 18 will no longer be able to pick up younger siblings from a building during inclement weather.
Elementary parents who normally pick up their students as a walker may still do so via the Walker Door in Elementary, using the PikMyKid app to announce you are there. Parents may not park in the driveline and then get out to pick up their student via the walker door as this creates a safety hazard.
Important Safety Guidelines
- Parents, once you receive the text or email that we are in a lightning delay, please clear the driveline lanes and the campus, and wait for a notification that the delay is lifted.
- Do NOT stay in your car or leave your car unattended in the driveline. This is a safety hazard and we need the parking lot clear.
- It is important to keep the driveline lanes clear in case of an emergency.
- Once conditions on campus are considered safe, students will be released and messages will be sent to families.
- Please note: Staff are not allowed to leave the building to clear the driveline lanes and the parking lot so we are asking all families to please follow these guidelines, without prompting so that we can keep everyone safe.
We will update families as we get closer to the severe weather rolling in.
In partnership,
Nicole Bostel, Communications Director