Emergency & Weather Notifications

When the School Schedule Adjusts

Conditions may require Caledonia Community Schools to adjust the school schedule. When this happens, CCS may:

• Delay the start of school (for example, a 2-hour delay)
• Close school for the day
• Dismiss early or adjust after-school activities

These adjustments may occur during:

• Snow or ice events
• Periods of extreme cold or heat
• Severe weather, such as thunderstorms or tornado warnings
• Other weather-related conditions that affect transportation or building operations
• Emergencies

When the schedule is adjusted, CCS will:

• Send notifications through the Emergency Alert System (SchoolMessenger) using contact information in PowerSchool (K-12) and Brightwheel (PreK)
• Post updates on the district and building homepages at www.calschools.org
  

When time and circumstances allow, CCS may also:

• Share updates on district social media accounts
• Provide information to local TV stations and news outlets for broadcast

In rapidly changing or urgent situations, SchoolMessenger (K-12), Brightwheel (PreK) and the district website will be the primary sources of information.

How to Stay Informed

Caledonia Community Schools uses several communication channels to keep families informed when school schedules or routines change due to weather-related conditions or emergencies.

Primary Notification Methods (Always Used)

• Emergency Alert System (SchoolMessenger) – phone, email, and text messages using contact information in PowerSchool
• Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center - phone, and email messages using contact information in Brightwheel
• District and building homepages – updates posted at www.calschools.org
  

Additional Notification Methods (Used as Time Allows)

• Facebook: @calschools
• Instagram: @caledonia_community_schools
• Local media outlets(for major delays/closures), including:
  • WOOD TV8
  • WZZM 13
  • FOX 17
  • WWMT 3

For the most complete and timely information, families are encouraged to rely on SchoolMessenger messages and the district website.

How to Make Sure You Receive Text Alerts (K-12)

Our Emergency Alert System (through PowerSchool and SchoolMessenger) is the quickest way to receive updates on closings, delays, and emergencies.

To ensure you don’t miss important notifications:

1. Verify Your Information in PowerSchool:
   Log in to your PowerSchool Parent Portal, select SchoolMessenger (from the left-hand menu at the bottom), and review your contact details (Go to the three bars in the upper left-hand corner and select Preferences).
   • Make sure the phone number listed is a cell phone that can receive text messages.
   • Check that your notification preferences for School Hours Emergency and General (Call me, Send text, and/or Email) are enabled.  

2. Opt-In for Texts:
   Text “Y” or “Yes” to 67587 from your cell phone.
    This step activates text messages from Caledonia Community Schools.

3. Save 67587 as a Contact:
   Saving this number in your phone helps alerts bypass Do Not Disturb or Quiet Hours on most devices.

4. Check for Blocked Messages:
   If you previously blocked messages, text “UNSTOP” to 67587 to unblock.
   On iPhone: Go to Settings → Messages → Blocked Contacts.
   On Android: Open Messages → Settings → Blocked Numbers or Spam Protection.
   If you use Verizon, AT&T, or another carrier, confirm that short codes like 67587 aren’t being filtered as spam.

If you need help, visit our PowerSchool Support Page or contact your child’s school office.

What Happens in a Weather Delay or Closure

2-Hour Delays (K–12 Schools)
A 2-hour delay may be used when weather-related conditions are expected to improve later in the morning or in other rare emergencies. 

A 2-hour delay can still turn into a full closure if conditions/emergencies do not improve, so please monitor district communications for updates.

When a 2-hour delay is announced:

• Buses will pick up students two hours later than normal.
• K–12 schools will begin two hours later than the usual start time. 
• For early childhood programs, Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center(DLECC) follows its own delay schedule.  Please see the DLECC “For Parents page” for more details.
• If weather-related/emergency conditions do not improve during a delay, school may be canceled.
• Families should continue checking Brightwheel (DLECC), SchoolMessenger notifications, and the district website for updates. When time allows, updates may also be shared on social media and with local news outlets.

Full-Day Closures (Snow Days and Other Closures)
When Caledonia Community Schools is closed for the day (Ie, snow, ice, extreme cold/heat, severe storms, or other emergencies):

• All K–12 schools are closed.
• The Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center (DLECC) is closed.
• The Senior Center at the Cal Community Center is closed.

Program-specific updates (such as athletics or evening events) will be shared separately by coaches, advisors, principals, or program leaders.

YMCA at the Cal Community Center

• The YMCA sends its own communication to parents and members regarding program changes or closures.
• This includes before- and after-school programs operated by the YMCA.

Please contact the YMCA directly if you have questions about YMCA schedules or activities.

After-School & Evening Activities

When school is closed for the day due to weather-related conditions, all PreK–8 and Community Education activities are canceled unless otherwise communicated.

High school athletic contests and other evening events are reviewed separately. Updates about these activities are shared by:

• Coaches and advisors, and/or
• SchoolMessenger and building-level communications, as needed

Programs operated by community partners (such as the YMCA) communicate their own schedule changes directly to participants.

Parent Discretion

Weather-related/Emergency conditions can vary across different parts of the district. If you believe it is unsafe for your child to travel to or from school:

• Please use your discretion and
• Contact your child’s school to report the absence

Tech Tips for Winter Notifications

To help ensure you receive time-sensitive messages:

• Add 67587 as a contact labeled “Caledonia Schools”.
• Check that Do Not Disturb or Focus/Quiet Time settings will not prevent you from seeing early-morning alerts.
• If alerts do not appear to be coming through, text “UNSTOP” to 67587 to unblock messages.
• Contact your cell carrier if you suspect that short codes or automated messages are being filtered as spam.

Annual Test Message

Each November, Caledonia Community Schools conducts a test of our Emergency Alert System to confirm that K-12 families and staff are receiving notifications.

When you receive the test message, please take a moment to:

• Confirm your contact information in PowerSchool
• Update your notification preferences if needed

PowerSchool/School Messenger Support (K-12)

If you need additional help with PowerSchool or SchoolMessenger, please:

• Visit the PowerSchool Support page on our website, or
• Contact your child’s school office for assistance