DCPS adds weather stations to schools
Daviess County Public Schools officials have added a new weather system to three of their schools, with the goal of adapting school events, such as sporting events and practices, to temperature and weather conditions.
The district recently installed Perry Weather System stations at Daviess County High School, Apollo High School and Daviess County Middle School. Those weather stations will also be able to monitor conditions at College View and Burns middle schools, and at other nearby schools.
Matt Mason, the district’s assistant superintendent for student services, said the system can be tailored to monitor for multiple factors, such as temperature, humidity, heat index and “WetBulb Globe Temperature,” which is National Weather Service defines as a measurement of heat stress in direct sunlight.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has specific rules regarding when student athletes can play or practice, depending on the heat index or WetBulb Globe Temperature. The system has been programed to monitor for weather conditions that would precautions or cancellation of play and practices, Mason said.
“They have very strict guidelines on when you can play,” and how practices can proceed, depending on weather, Mason said.
For example, when the heat index is between 95 to 99 degrees or the WebBulb Globe Temperature is between 87 and 89.9, coaches are required to provide water breaks every 10 minutes out of direct sunlight, and practice times are recommended to not exceed two hours, according to KHSAA guidelines.
“We get real-time information” on conditions “to help us make decisions for events,” Mason said, and that, “It gives you everything you need on a school level to make informed decisions.”
Mason, a former coach and principal at Daviess County High School, said coaches are taught how to assess weather conditions and act accordingly. The weather stations at the three schools will provide accurate information, updating every five minutes, he said.
“With this system, it takes the guesswork out of it,” Mason said.
The district has an alert system, where 75 principals, coaches, athletic directors and other administrators will be notified of a weather alert. Officials will be alerted on their phones, and will be able to activate alerts on school public address systems.
If a weather event was detected that would impact a sporting event or other school events, the system would give officials notice so they could take measures, such as evacuate spectators. In addition to sporting events, the alert system could be used to inform students outdoors for activities such as band practices and students inside the schools.
The idea behind the system was “to make sure we have the best information for our kids,” Mason said.
“It’s almost immediate feedback,” Mason said, and that, “We want to make sure our kids our safe, as far as restricting play or practice” due to weather.
