With temperatures having dipped below zero recently and more potential winter weather over the weekend, officials in the Warren County R-III School District are taking precautions to keep students safe.While students are inside the buildings away from the elements most of the time, there is a risk with bus riders. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Aaron Jones said it is particularly important to minimize time spent outside waiting for the bus when temperatures are below freezing.“Any opportunity caretakers can have to wait with the kids in a vehicle — that’s best case scenario,” said Jones. “Our transportation department has continued to work diligently to hit their scheduled times that they are supposed to be at stops so a kid isn’t standing out there any extra time.”While some winter weather precautions such as wearing appropriate clothing are simple, Jones said it may not be that easy for all families. The district acknowledges that a student who is cold or not protected from the elements is not going to be in any condition to learn.“If we have kids who don’t have access to those things, we have our Care to Learn funds that we could definitely use to help out,” said Jones. “We would work with any family or student if they need any kind of coat, gloves or hat.”As for canceling classes due to severe weather, Jones said Warrenton schools collaborate with other area districts. Temperatures would have to be extremely low for school to be called off without any precipitation.“After talking with other superintendents in the area, they really start getting serious about canceling school when the wind chill gets to 20 below zero,” said Jones.Any time there is a chance of precipitation, administrators take to the roads before dawn to assess for safety and make a decision about whether or not to call off or delay classes. Jones encourages families to utilize the district’s outreach resources, such as the calling system or social media, to stay updated on changes related to winter weather.Wright City School District logo