School Closings/Emergency
Should school not be open because of bad weather, such as severe snow or ice storms, notice of such closing will be given over the radio station WJMT (730 AM) and TV stations WSAW–7, WAOW–9 and WJFW–12. All co-curricular activities scheduled on that day would also be canceled. If it is necessary to close early when school is in session for the day, notice will be given over the same stations.
Other ways the district and schools may communicate school closings are via the school and district website, school Facebook pages or a Skylert phone message to the student’s primary phone number. If no announcement is made, Merrill Area Public Schools will be open and buses will pick up students as regularly scheduled.
Elementary School:
Please discuss with your child where he/she should go if school is closed early; which you have indicated on the permission verification form. You may wish to send a note to your child’s teacher when you are going to be out of town, especially if you have a primary age student who has no older brothers or sisters to guide them when normal routines are broken. We will ultimately refer to the permission verification form which specifies where your child needs to go in the event of an early closing.
It is the responsibility of each family to keep the Elementary Office updated as to changes which affect emergency information. Notification of changes in home/cellular/ work phone numbers, addresses and emergency contacts are critical to the safety of each of our students.
Emergency Response/ Preparedness
The Merrill Area Public Schools has approved emergency response procedures which cover a wide variety of emergency situations. Manuals explaining such procedures are available in all classrooms and in all school offices.
Fire Drills and Tornado Alerts
Emergency drill procedures will be discussed with all children by their classroom teachers. Drills will be held several times throughout the school year. Students must quickly and quietly report to the appropriate location, under the supervision of school personnel. We ask that any guests in our building observe emergency procedures in the event a fire drill or tornado alert is sounded. Signage giving emergency procedures for both tornado and fire emergencies for each classroom can be found posted near all classroom doors.