Safety & Weather

In general, we believe it is in the best interest of students to have school when possible. Instructional time is valuable for all students. Schools are safe, warm places for students; when school is canceled, many children must stay at home without adult supervision. Ultimately, when inclement weather strikes, parents must make decisions that are best for their child’s circumstances. Of course, we respect those decisions.

There is no set temperature that must be reached in order to cancel school. Lebanon administrators consider many factors, including temperature, when deciding whether to have school. Student safety is always the top priority.

• Parents are encouraged to make sure their children, especially those who walk to school or ride the bus, are dressed appropriately with gloves, coats, hats and scarves.
• Bus drivers will allow extra time for students to board buses at designated stops. This will enable students to watch for the bus from indoors during extremely cold weather. 

Living in the Ozarks, we know winter weather may lead to school cancellations or early dismissals during the year. The decision to close or dismiss Lebanon R-3 Schools is based on many factors, but student safety is always the primary concern.

How Families Are Notified

• School Messenger: Our automated calling system is the primary method of notification. Calls, texts, and emails are placed within minutes of the decision to close school or dismiss early.

  • Parents are encouraged to update their child’s school whenever phone numbers or addresses change to ensure they receive these calls.

• Local Media: KJEL radio and Springfield-area television stations are notified immediately after School Messenger calls are launched. Please note that it may take some time before TV stations broadcast the updates.

• Update contact information at their child’s school when phone numbers or addresses are changed.
• Share with the child’s school the plan the child should follow if school is dismissed early. Include whether the child is to go home or to another residence.
• Notify schools of changes to transportation routines as soon as possible to allow adequate time to make safe and accurate transportation changes.

• Administrators track inclement weather on the internet and television weather reports.
• The Director of Transportation and staff members drive key roads to assess condition.
• The District maintains close contact with county and city road crews.
• Administrators may contact other school districts in the line of the storm to gauge the intensity of the storm and discuss plans to deal with the situation.
• The Director of Transportation makes a recommendation to the Superintendent. The decision process includes the following considerations: Student safety being the top priority, minimizing student exposure to hazardous road or weather conditions, and providing families with as much time as possible to make child care arrangements.