The Norman Transcript

Education

Discussion

December 4, 2012

NPS achieves ‘Storm Ready’ certification

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Norman Public Schools has joined 2,000 sites nationwide in achieving a “Storm Ready” status from the National Weather Service.

The comprehensive application process began after Norman was hit by a tornado at the end of the school day in spring 2012.

The 2,000 sites nationwide include communities, schools and universities.

Rick Smith, a warning coordination meteorologist with the NWS, said the certification is significant for NPS, according to a news release from Shelly Hickman, the school district’s director of public information and community relations.

“As we’ve seen in recent years, it’s not a question of if we’ll be dealing with hazardous weather, it’s a question of when,” Smith said in the release. “We believe that the strengthened partnership between Norman Public Schools and the National Weather Service will make a positive difference the next time we have to deal with dangerous storms.”

NPS Assistant Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown said he worked with the Norman-based Weather Decision Technologies housed on the University of Oklahoma campus to apply for the NWS’ comprehensive certification. He said it actually was WDT who approached NPS with the idea.

“We worked closely with WDT’s Stephanie Siewert on the application process and it involved devising a strategic plan from the district level to each and every school site of the specific individuals and actions that would be taken in the event of extreme weather,” he said in the release. “Having a detailed plan of the procedures that are to be taken and by whom they are to be taken in the event of dangerous weather, and to have that reviewed by experts in the field, is extremely valuable to a school district.”

The NWS established Storm Ready certification in 1999 to help communities and organizations with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before and during extreme weather.

According to NWS’ Web site, Storm Ready communities and organizations are “better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness.”

WDT’s chief technology officer, JT Johnson, said he and Siewart were pleased to work with NPS on the Storm Ready certification.

“Weather Decision Technologies recognizes that our clients are concerned about having thorough plans for severe weather response and the NWS’ StormReady certification provides a great framework for that preparedness,” he said in the release. “We felt it important to work with NPS to establish the dis- trict as a StormReady Supporter in conjunction with the support and services that we are providing the district to keep students, faculty and staff safe in severe weather situations.”

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Education
  • Board looks at hirings

    The hiring of three key administrators tops Monday’s meeting of the Norman Public Schools board of education. The board meets at 7 p.m. in the Norman City Council chambers, 201 W. Gray St....

    May 20, 2013

  • Technology center board meets

    Weapons policy updates, state funding and a five-year strategic plan were the topics of note at the Moore Norman Technology Center Board meeting Thursday evening....

    May 17, 2013

  • Noble High School students present projects at mock trade show

    Noble High School juniors and seniors in Roger Clement’s Chemistry II class got a special preview of what professional chemistry and engineering would be like as they presented the fruit of semester-long projects in a mock trade show ...

    May 17, 2013

  • School Food Pantry Teachers, staff of Norman Public Schools work to combat hunger

    For the vast majority of Norman’s chronically hungry children, all that stands between them and the food they need is the awareness of those around them....

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Bart Conner Gym recognized for being champion in education

    The Norman Chamber of Commerce went a step further Tuesday in its mission of facilitating a partnership between local public schools and businesses by designating the Bart Conner Gymnastics Academy as its first Champion in Education....

    May 15, 2013

  • Teacher set to retire after nearly four decades

    Norman North High School English teacher Claudia Swisher has been at the front of a classroom on the first day of school 39 times, and each of those days has consistently been followed by a night of little sleep....

    May 12, 2013

  • Norman students named scholarship winners

    National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced this year’s National Merit $2,500 scholarship winners, with five Norman students among Oklahoma’s scholars....

    May 8, 2013

  • Rose State president Terry Britton gives farewell commencement

    Rose State College President Terry Britton, whose career at the college spans more than 40 years, will deliver his “farewell commencement” speech before graduates at 7 p.m. Friday....

    May 8, 2013

  • NPS raising cost of lunches by $0.05 per meal

    Norman Public Schools’ lunches will see a slight increase in cost following a measure approved Monday evening by the Board of Education....

    May 7, 2013

  • Norman North HS band congratulated by state senators

    The Norman North High School Band will be honored with a citation in the State Senate Chambers at 1 p.m. today to begin their official fundraising efforts to be a featured band Dec. 7 at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii....

    May 7, 2013