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Address: 2820 Las Vegas Court, Las Cruces, NM 88007
Phone: (575) 527-5998
Safety Tips
Dear LCPS families,
This time of year, the weather can complicate our school day without much notice. Lightning strikes are a very real threat to student safety, and our protocols can sometimes make it inconvenient for families when a school must shelter in place because of weather, especially at the end of the school day. Unfortunately, we have previously experienced a lightning strike on campus that injured a student, and we do not want that to happen again.
In order to ensure the safety of all students, LCPS has adopted the following safety protocols in the event of inclement weather.
The district has purchased a weather application called Weather Sentry available for download by school administrators and coaches. This is the official weather monitoring system to be used to monitor weather districtwide.
If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, a school will activate a shelter in place.
A return to normal activity can only be made once the weather system has clearly passed from the area and no lightning strikes within 10 miles have occurred with 30 minutes.
The administrator responsible for the accurate monitoring of the weather app will make the decision to seek shelter.
Lightning is a very unpredictable event and is quite capable of striking anywhere and at any time throughout an active cell. Failure to follow these protocols could result in catastrophic consequences.
Visitors to school campuses may be sheltered in place in a school cafeteria or gym.
If you need to pick up your child while a school is sheltering in place due to weather, you may do so at your own risk.
Las Cruces Public Schools assumes no responsibility for your child at that point. Please expect delays as it takes time to call each child out of class individually or in small groups.
Lightning Safety Protocols
In order to ensure the safety of all students and student athletes, coaches, support personnel, the athletic trainers, and parents and fans, LCPS has adopted the following safety protocols in the event of inclement weather. These guidelines are STRICT STANDARDS WHICH MUST BE FOLLOWED to avoid undue catastrophic injury.
In the event that a thunderstorm is in the area, the following safety measures must be taken. These are in affect for all outdoor activities including practices, games and scrimmages. The facilities affected include the LCPS outdoor game facilities, city tennis courts, golf courses and the middle and high school facilities where practices and games are held.
An active thunderstorm with any portion of that cell having clouds directly overhead.
If lightning is spotted and corresponding thunder is heard coming directly from the cell directly overhead of your area, regardless of the distance, the area must be cleared and the appropriate shelter must be sought.
If the origin of the lightning strike is unknown, then any strike within a 10 mile radius warrants that the area be cleared and the appropriate shelter must be sought.
A safe return can only be made once the system has clearly passed from the area and no lightning strikes within 10 miles have occurred with 30 minutes.
The ranking adult on site is responsible for the accurate monitoring of the weather and the decision to seek shelter. No student at any time should be placed in a position where they would make this decision.
The district has provided lightning detectors for use at the LCPS Field of Dreams Complex, at each high school and each middle school. For individuals with SmartPhones, a free application called “Weather Bug” is available for download at no cost.
If no lightning detection device is available, the simple rule of “flash-to-bang” can be utilized. Sound travels at the speed of 754 miles per hour or 1 mile every 5 seconds. When lightning is sighted, begin counting until thunder is heard. If the time elapsed is less than 50 seconds, the strike was within 10 miles and a safety hazard exists.
Seeking shelter is an immediate action. Picking up equipment or other non-essential items, meandering or purposeful slow walking or any other unnecessary delay in getting to shelter must be strictly discouraged. Coaches and other personnel are responsible for expediting this process.
Appropriate shelter that is safe from a lightning strike is anywhere indoors, inside a vehicle or an area that has been designed and certified as a grounded lightning safe structure.
Underneath: Bleachers, an open shed, tents or canopies or building overhands are not safe areas and should not be used as shelters.
Areas to avoid are trees, poles, metal fences and standing water.
Lightning is a very unpredictable event and is quite capable of striking anywhere and at any time throughout an active cell. Failure to following these protocols could result in catastrophic consequences.