Dear Parents:
Now that winter is near, it is time to review the Norris School District fog delay procedures. As most of you are aware, there are times when Norris School District schools will delay opening two hours because of the dense fog conditions. Please be advised that school supervision will also be delayed by (2) hours, so do not send children to school until supervision is available on declared fog delay days. When a fog delay is issued, supervision at all four elementary schools (Bimat, Olive Drive, Norris & Veterans) will begin at 10:00 a.m. TK students who normally attend the AM session, will instead follow the PM schedule (Arrival - 10:35 a.m., Dismissal - 2:15 p.m.). Norris Middle School supervision will begin at 9:30 a.m.
The decision to delay school is usually made before 6:00 a.m. in order to get the information to the media in a timely manner. When the roads are being checked between 5:15 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., visibility may be acceptable, however, at 6:30 a.m. when buses are on the road, conditions may have worsened.
Since we cannot predict what will happen with the foggy conditions, we have to make the best decision we can, based on the road conditions before the buses begin their routes at 6:30 a.m. We make the best decision we can on actual observations in our District.
Please be aware that when a fog delay is called, it is done in the following manner:
Visibility is checked throughout the district between 5:15 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. by the Director of Maintenance, Operations and Transportation (MOT).
At 6:00 a.m., the Director of MOT will notify the Kern County Superintendent's Office and post a delay advisory on the Internet. Media will monitor the Internet posting and report via your favorite TV or radio station.
If the district delays, it will be for 2 hours. (Buses will run 2 hours late.)
For information regarding a Norris District delay:
**PLEASE DO NOT CALL SCHOOLS, RADIO or TV STATIONS**
Finally, if you feel it is unsafe to send your child to school when the bus runs during the foggy weather, feel free to keep them home until you feel you can safely transport them to school.