Connections Digital Newsletter
November 10, 2022
Dear Wayne-Westland Families,
This edition's topic....snow days. In light of a very crazy January, I wanted to share my thoughts when making those decisions. The amount of snow is definitely a factor as well as when it will come (a large amount of snow at 4 am cannot be cleared prior to school starting).
I attend a call with other Wayne County Superintendents, that includes a meteorologist who shares the most likely model of what will happen. These happen about 9:30 pm and if there is no clear cut decision, another one happens at 4:30 am.
Buildings and Grounds and Transportation staff are driving the roads and checking the parking lots starting at 3 am. I make a final decision by 5 am. If at all possible, a decision is made the night before in order to help families and staff prepare. What keeps me up at night is making a decision the night before, then waking up to only a dusting of snow. That is rough.
Cold days are another story. Frostbite can impact students who walk or wait for a bus, so if it is -20 degrees with windchill we will not have school. It is a delicate balance to think about young drivers navigating snowy roads, students who depend on breakfast and lunch and bus drivers being able to do their important jobs.
I also remember being a single mom, who had to work on snow days and needed to find childcare for my young children. I am empathetic with families in a similar situation (if this is you, check out our Champions program!) yet safety of all our students is the main driver of my decisions.
Thank you for your patience this month. May February go more smoothly!
Sincerely,
Catherine Cost, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent
A huge thank you to Westland Rotary Club for donating $6,000 to our Multilingual Department! Their generosity allowed us to purchase 10 Timekettle X1 AI Interpreter Hubs to support real-time translation for our Multilingual Learner families.
These devices will help us break down language barriers and strengthen communication across our district. We are grateful for this incredible partnership!
Nominate a Staff Member for the GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award
Do you know a Wayne-Westland Community Schools staff member who consistently goes above and beyond to make a difference for our students, families, or community? Maybe it’s a teacher who inspires a love of learning, a bus driver who greets every child with a smile, or a custodian who takes extra care to keep our schools welcoming and safe.
Help us recognize these outstanding individuals by submitting a nomination for the GEM (Going the Extra Mile) Award!
The GEM Award honors staff members who demonstrate dedication, kindness, and a commitment to excellence in everything they do. It’s one way we can celebrate the people who make Wayne-Westland such a special place to learn and grow.
Submit your nomination today!
