Conotton Valley Union Local School District
“Every Child, Every Day, In Every Way!”
January 17, 2025
Dear Parents and Students,
Well, winter has certainly arrived here at Conotton Valley! Although our students find these days as a reason to cheer, please know I recognize the stress it can present for parents and guardians alike. With that being said, please accept my sincere gratitude for your understanding, support, and cooperation! As always, the decision to delay or cancel school is not made lightly, but the constant remains that we will put the safety and welfare of our students as the top priority.
As you may be aware, the National Weather Service is forecasting extreme weather next week with wind chills in the negative numbers. The combination of wind and low temperatures can be deadly. The wind chill index helps you determine when dangerous conditions develop that could lead to frostbite or hypothermia. It takes into account heat loss from the human body to its surroundings during cold and windy weather. The calculation utilizes wind speed in miles per hour and temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. For example, a temperature of minus 5 degrees occurring with a 20 mph wind gives a wind chill near minus 30 degrees. This means that your body will lose heat at the same rate as it would if the air temperature were minus 30 degrees with no wind. Wind chill values near minus 25 degrees mean that frostbite is possible within 15 minutes (Source: National Weather Service). Frostbite is a serious threat to the health of the individual and may result in the loss of soft tissue or extremities.
With that being said, and using the aforementioned example, we certainly would not be in session if wind chill values are in that range. Additional consideration is given when factoring the age of children, recognizing we may need to cancel classes or utilize a delayed start when temperatures and/or chill factors do not meet the threshold (-25) as previously stated in the example. Recognizing a variety of factors may impact the well-being of our students, a firm minimum temperature or wind chill number is not used for delays or cancellations. Please trust, we will be proactive in our efforts to make an informed decision and notify our families when classes will be delayed or cancelled.
The National Weather Service provides this guidance when preparing for extreme temperatures:
Stay dry. Wet clothing results in much faster heat loss from your body. Wear waterproof insulated boots.
Stay covered. Wear mittens or gloves, and wear a hat. At least half of your body heat is lost if your head is not covered.
Dress layered. Trapped air between loose fitting clothing helps to insulate.
Stay informed and keep up-to-date with the latest forecasts and warnings. Use wind chill temperatures to guide you in dressing properly for the outdoors. On very cold days, minimize your exposure to the outdoors if possible.
More helpful information…
Hypothermia is a dangerously low body temperature and is the most common winter weather killer. When you hear of a hiker, climber, hunter, or a stranded traveler perishing from cold weather exposure, hypothermia was the cause. Most people are surprised to learn that hypothermia deaths can occur with temperatures between 30 and 50 degrees. If you or your clothing are wet, then hypothermia becomes even more likely.
Warning signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, disorientation, slurred speech, and drowsiness. Immediate medical attention should be given to victims suspected of suffering from hypothermia. If no help is available, the victim should be warmed slowly with warm liquids along with dry clothing and blankets.
In closing, please know that student safety is and always will be my top priority as superintendent. Yes, I may err on the side of caution from time to time, but that error will be with a heart for children!
Thank you for your understanding, support, and cooperation. Stay warm and stay safe!!
Sincerely,
John R. Zucal
Superintendent
#SOAR