PLE Lightning Dismissal

Lightning can sometimes occur during dismissal time, requiring us to adjust our usual process to keep everyone safe. Please take a few minutes to review the information below so you know what to expect if changes are needed.

MAKING THE DECISION

We will call a Lightning Dismissal as soon as we know that weather is in the area and close enough to create an unsafe situation. As soon as Lightning Dismissal is called, you may come to school to begin picking up your student.

Our School Buses will be recalled to the bus terminal 1 hour after dismissal when we have severe weather in the area.

🚌 What does this mean for bus riders?
Buses will return to the Bus Terminal at 5:00 PM. If a lightning strike occurs at 4:30 PM or later, parents/guardians must make arrangements to pick up their Child at School.

Please make sure you have a plan in place for these situations in case you need to pick up your student due to a weather delay.

🌩️ Stay Weather Aware!
Weather apps such as WeatherBug, My Lightning Tracker, and similar tools can be excellent resources for monitoring storms. These are also among the types of tools the school uses to help track weather conditions.

Thank you for planning ahead and helping us keep our students safe during severe weather!

• You will be notified via email, text, and phone. YELLOW FLAGS will also be visible in the pick-up lane, if it is safe for staff to place them.
• We will remain in Lightning Dismissal until the weather has safely left the area.
• Lightning Dismissal is typically called when lightning is detected within 10 miles of our location. The minimum delay is 30 minutes.
• We use the WeatherBug App and/or My Lightning Tracker to monitor the proximity of lightning.

DCSD has implemented a change in policy regarding buses during weather-related delayed dismissal.

• Buses will return to the Bus Terminal at 5:00 PM.
• If a lightning strike occurs at 4:30 PM or later, parents/guardians will need to make arrangements to pick up their students.
• If the weather delay continues for more than 30 minutes, parents/guardians should be prepared to make arrangements to pick up their students.

Please have your photo ID with you.

During Lightning Dismissal, students will need to be picked up inside the school.

• Please have your photo ID with you.
• Enter through the main entrance.
• Have the PikMyKid App open to the home page showing your student(s).
• If you do not have the PikMyKid App, you will be required to show your photo ID at the office before your student can be released.
• If you have students at both campuses, you will need to go to both buildings to pick them up. We will not release a student to walk to the other campus.

• You may use the pick-up lane and follow the regular traffic pattern, alternating lanes.
• Do not exit your vehicle until you reach one of our stations at the front of the line.
• Depending on the severity of the weather, school personnel may or may not be available to direct traffic.

Students attending BASE will be dismissed according to the following locations:

• North Campus: Gym
• South Campus: Cafeteria

If Lightning Dismissal remains in effect when you arrive to pick up your BASE student, you will need to pick them up inside the school rather than through the mobile pick-up process.

If you are not receiving school or district communications, please follow the steps below to make sure your contact information and communication preferences are set up correctly.

1. Log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
2. Click the “person” icon in the top-right corner.
3. Select “Settings.”
4. Review your contact information and communication preferences.
5. If you see an incorrect phone number or email address, update your information in Infinite Campus.
6. If you are unable to make the change, please contact your child’s school registrar to request an update.

Infinite Campus Parent Portal

Please take a moment to verify your information so you don’t miss important school and district updates!