Republic School District

The decision to close or alter school will be made as early as possible. The Republic School District will work to communicate via email to families and employees if there is a chance of cancellation in the days leading up to a possible storm. If school is canceled or virtual due to severe weather conditions, our Communications Department will use an automated system to call* and text staff and families. Typically, these messages will occur before 5:30 a.m. on the day of the closure. 

• Families and staff are asked to save the phone number 417-732-3636 and text short code 98900 into their cell phones as "Republic Schools." If you’ve already opted out of text messages and would like to opt back in, please text START to 98900. 

• We ask that families their update contact information in the SISK12 Parent Portal so we can ensure you are receiving updates as needed. If you have any questions on how to update your contact information, call your student’s school. 

• If your student would like to receive phone calls and text messages related to school cancellations and other important updates, please be sure to include their phone numbers in the SISK12 Parent Portal.

The phone number being used to notify families and employees of school day changes is known as the district's School Cancellation Line. Families who miss a call from that number (417-732-3636) should check republicschools.org for details.

In addition, announcements about postponements or cancellations will be made on Republic School District’s social media pages and website, as well as on local radio and TV stations.

*Please note: In the fall of 2023, the Republic School District asked all families and staff members if they'd like to continue receiving phone calls related to school cancellations. Of those who responded, most said they would like to continue the automated calls. Even those who said they would like to stop receiving calls will receive them, unless they decide to opt out. Information about how to opt out is available here.

The Republic School District believes in the magic and fun of “snow days,” and wants all students to be able to experience them. We also know the importance of summer time, which is why we want to avoid adding school days to the end of the school year to make up for outages due to winter weather. Therefore, the district intentionally builds snow days and AMI Days into its yearly calendar.  

If the district announces a "traditional snow day," there will be no school and all district offices will be closed.

AMI days allow us to provide important learning to students when we can’t physically be at school, and also allow us to count this as a day of attendance so we do not have to extend our school year.

Secondary (RMS and RHS) students will take their district-issued devices home daily. Elementary students will take their devices home only when potentially severe winter weather is in the forecast, which may cause our district to close. This will allow the district to implement a necessary AMI, or virtual learning, day.

Here are a few things to note:

• Elementary students should not have a need to utilize their school devices outside of school hours. Therefore, it's recommended they stay in backpacks at home when not needed for learning or when not charging. 

• On AMI days, required learning activities will be done independently by students as their day allows. There will be no live instruction. School work on AMI days is required, and students are counted absent if work is not completed.

• Early Childhood and elementary students will use the Google Classroom platform that they’re very familiar with and use daily. RMS and RHS students will utilize Canvas. 

• If an AMI day needs to be implemented, directions from teachers will be shared with families and students, which will ensure a smooth day of virtual learning.

RMS & RHS FAMILIES:
Your student's teachers will have all learning activities posted through their Canvas course by 7:30 a.m. 

• Students will log in to their Canvas account and work through each of their courses at their own pace throughout the day. There will not be “live” or synchronous instruction on AMI Days.

• Learning activities will not consist of introducing new concepts or standards, instead activities will be a review or extension of previously learned priority standards within each course. 

• Classroom teachers will be available for students via email/Canvas messaging throughout the day to answer any questions and provide feedback from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Students unable to access the virtual activities for any reason should contact their teachers directly.

EC & ELEMENTARY FAMILIES:
Your student’s teacher will be sending classroom specific instructions and activities by 8:30 a.m.

• There will not be “live” or synchronous instruction on AMI Days. Students will be able to work independently through the activities that will be posted.

• Learning activities will not consist of introducing new concepts or standards, instead activities will be a review or extension of previously learned priority standards. There will be assignments for each of the following core subjects: reading, writing, and math. There will also be optional specials (Music, Library, Art and PE) activities, as well. 

• Please look for communication from your child’s teacher that provides specific information about accessing these activities. This communication will also provide information about how you can contact your child’s teacher with any questions. 

• Classroom teachers will be available throughout the day to answer questions and provide feedback. Activities can be accessed with district Chromebooks or devices you have at home. Simply use your child’s login to sign into Google Classroom and begin working. If you need help signing in, please contact your child’s teacher. 

If a weather-related emergency should develop during the time school is in session, students will be cared for in school until the storm has subsided.

• If buses are sent home early, all buses will be sent.

• We will communicate the time of closure. 

The district’s before- and after-school program, STRIPES 360, offers Winter Escape, a full-day, daycare option on most days when school is not in session due to inclement winter weather. Winter Escape will only be available if road conditions allow for our staff to arrive safely and if there is enough staff available. 

Each Winter Escape day is held at McCulloch Elementary from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and will include activities, including arts & crafts, reading, science, group games, and free-choice time. For more information about Winter Escape, click here.