LSC School Closure Protocol (External Stakeholders)

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Communicating with Families

If it becomes necessary to start school late, dismiss school early, or not to have school at all because of weather conditions or other emergency situations, the primary method of communication to our families will be through the school's official Remind text messaging app, Dojo, and social media pages.

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Additionally, the local newspaper (The Item), radio (97.5) and TV stations (WLTX, WISTV) will be notified. Up to date school information can also be found on our school's website. Families should refrain from calling the school as this can tie up the phone lines during an emergency situation. Families are automatically enrolled in the school's One Call system using their PowerSchool contact information.

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Communication Timeline

LSC network leaders commit to notifying families by 8:00 pm the night before (no later) OR 6:00 am or before the morning of school.

Make-Up Options: LSC is required to account for 190 days of instruction in its charter app.

• Option 1 - Conversion to eLearning Day: If LSC chooses to close school in advance while school is in session and convert it to an eLearning Day, staff will send home devices to those families who request (eLearning Chromebook Request Form), but if instructional materials (activity sheets, etc.) are utilized, then all scholars will receive a hard copy of it. LSC will make every effort to send home eLearning materials to be prepared in the event school closure will take place in advance. During an eLearning day, scholars/parents will have access to school staff during designated times of the day provided internet connection is available (this will be noted on the school's eLearning one pager) through Zoom office hours and a designated hotline number (803-316-7849 or 803-569-1217). In the event of an eLearning Day that is planned in advance, scholars will come home with all materials (chrome book, instructional packet, Clever badge). Asynchronous instruction will take place via Google Slides that is posted on all communication platforms. A video message will also be sent out by dismissal the day before an eLearning Day outlining important information for parents to be aware of to navigate an eLearning day.

• Option 2 - Physical Make-Up day: If LSC does not convert to eLearning to account for the lost time, a make-up day will be required. Families will be notified with those details within a week. The three inclement weather make-up days on LSC's 2025-26 board-approved calendar under state law are October 10, February 16,  & April 10.

 

Aligning with Sumter School District

LSC network leaders will make every effort to collaborate with senior leaders at Sumter School District to align on decisions made that could potentially impact families shared in both educational settings. In the ideal situation, SSD and LSC close school together. However, if SSD announces school closure before LSC does, it is understood that LSC will follow the same plan.

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Additional Scenarios

Two-Hour Delay

• Scholars report between 9:30-9:50 am (Primary Academy) and 9:40-10:00 am (Elementary Academy).
  Gates will open at 9:15 am with staff supervising drop-off at 9:25 am (Primary Academy) and 9:35 am
  (Elementary Academy).

• Staff report by 9:15 am (Primary Academy) and 9:25 am (Elementary Academy).

• Dismissal times will always remain the same in this scenario.

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Early Dismissal

• In the event that school is dismissed early, families will be notified via email, social media platforms, the school-wide Class Dojo platform, and the Remind text messaging app.

 

*Updated 8/2/2024