May 2, 2018
CPS Parents,
I would like to update you on the procedures within CPS for the threat of tornadoes.
Let me start by saying that our first goal is always the safety of our students, faculty members and anyone else who is on the school campus at the time of a weather event. Our guidelines are constructed with that in mind. We will not jeopardize one person’s safety for the convenience or demands of another person.
As a reminder, CPS has adequate storm shelters at both the elementary and junior/high school sites. The storm shelters are large enough to hold all students and faculty and staff.
We will continue to use our messaging system (schoolmessenger) to keep you updated in the event of weather events. Messages will be short and to the point in an effort to avoid confusion. It is your responsibility to make sure your contact information is current. For more information on school messenger, please contact the school office.
During the threat of a tornado one major challenge is the number of parents wanting to check their children out and take them home—particularly at the Elementary. As a parent, I understand the desire to come and get your child. However, considering that there are 690 students within our district, it is difficult to check each child out and account for each child as we should when large numbers of parents come at one time.
Parents are welcome to pick their children up so long as the threat of devastating weather is not imminent. The situation could arise where we will not release students if it puts them or others in harm’s way. As I stated before, we will not jeopardize one person’s safety for another’s convenience.
When students are in the storm shelters and designated areas, it is very difficult to go and get them to check out. Please remember that they are in a safer place in the shelter than they are leaving the school and getting in a car. Please be reminded that the number of vehicles around the school during a tornado is a major cause for concern. If a tornado hits this area, the number of cars could cause great damage to property and even life.
Students must be checked out through the office. We will no longer send parents to the shelter area to get your child; your child will be brought to the office if we determine it is safe to leave the shelter area. Again, as I stated above, it is our obligation to protect our employees as well as the students. I will not put the school employees at risk so that parents can check out their students.
Another issue is parents calling to tell the office that someone else is picking up their child. In these cases, we do not have the time and personnel to check who is authorized to check out a child. During emergency situations, the school prefers students only be released to parents or guardians.
When adverse situations arise, the school district’s goal will continue to be student safety. Please be patient and understanding of others during emergency situations; this will allow all of us to make it through the situation safely.
Please feel free to contact either the building principals or me if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Brad Overton
Superintendent
Cordell Public Schools in the News...
Cordell Board of Education Approves 2018-2019 School Calendar...
Cordell Schools has released the 2018-2019 school calendar. Click here to access a PDF version.
2017-2018 Spring Sports Schedules Released...
Cordell spring sports schedules have been released for the 2017-2018 season. You can access a printable PDF version by clicking on these links: JH Baseball, HS Baseball, HS Soccer, JH/HS Track, JH/HS Golf, JH Soccer.
Child Nutrition Charging Policy…
Cordell Schools would like to remind parents of the policy in reference to meal charges. Cordell Schools requires parents to pre pay for student meals. You may pay via PayPal through the Parent GradeBook Portal or simply send money to the school with your child. If you have any questions, please contact DeeDee Feltman at 580-832-1005.
CPS Implements SchoolMessenger System...
Cordell Public Schools is implementing a new program called SchoolMessenger this year. This new system will allow us to notify parents and guardians of student absences, lunch bills, school closings, important announcements, and emergency situations. Messages and phone calls will come from the school's phone number 580-832-3420. We will notify you based on your preferred method of phone call, email, or text messages. Please help us by verifying and updating your contact information with your child's school office. We believe this resource will become a valuable tool communicating school events with you.
To comply with wireless carrier requirements and protect against unsolicited text messages, you may receive an SMS message to the wireless cell phone number that the district has on file requesting that you opt in to receive important information from the district via SMS text message. The message you receive will be similar to the following: "Cordell Public Schools alerts. Reply Y for aprx 5 msgs/mo. Txt HELP 4 info. Msg&data rates may apply. Visit schoolmessenger.com/tm". So that you can continue to receive these important messages from your student’s school district, we encourage you to reply with "Y" or "Yes" or "OPTIN" when you receive such a verification message.
To opt out of all text messages from SchoolMessenger, visithttp://www.schoolmessenger.com/txtmsg/ or reply with STOP to the opt-in message that you receive. If you opt in, but decide to opt out later on, you may also reply "STOP" to any message or send "STOP" to 68453. The school district does not pay for text message charges that may be incurred by you for sending or receiving text messages. Check with your wireless carrier for possible charges.
In Case of Inclement Weather...
When conditions exist which may cause the delay or dismissal of school, local media will be notified. News concerning the dismissal of school will be broadcast over KWTV (Channel 9), KOCO (Channel 5), and KFOR (Channel 4), as well as 95.5, 96.5 and 99.3 FM radio stations. We will also post on our official school Facebook Page as well as use our SchoolMessenger alert system.
