The safety of athletes, spectators, coaches, school personnel, and all others present at an athletic contest must be the first and foremost concern to the contest officials and building administrators.

When an interscholastic contest has been scheduled and dangerous playing conditions exist or severe weather is anticipated, the following rules will be in effect:

• Prior to beginning an athletic contest, when severe weather is anticipated, the head contest official and the principals of each school or their designees' will meet to review the suspension and postponement rule procedures as adopted by the KSHSAA.
• The host school administrator will be responsible for informing the contest officials, the visiting school administrators and, if applicable, the individual responsible for public address announcements.
• If a tornado warning has been issued, the contest will be suspended immediately. Participants, spectators, and all personnel involved with the contest will be advised. The procedure to take cover will be announced over the public address system.
• If any other life-threatening condition occurs, play will be suspended immediately and predetermined directions to safe locations will be announced.
  

When the suspension of a contest occurs, the following rules will be in effect:

• If the suspension is 45 minutes or greater, the contest will be rescheduled.
• When it appears that weather conditions are no longer a threat to the safety of participants, spectators, or contest officials, administrators from all schools involved will meet with the head contest official to determine if play will continue. If any administrator or contest official casts a negative vote for play to resume, the suspension should continue.
• If play is to be resumed, contestants will be given a 15 minute warm-up period prior to resuming competition.
  

Ice and snow

Any time school is dismissed during the school day because of inclement weather, all student activities including athletic practice sessions, performing arts practices, athletic contests, performing arts productions, concerts or contests are postponed. They may be rescheduled at a later date.

Should school be canceled prior to the beginning of class for the school day due to snow, ice or other inclement weather, athletic practice and contests, and performing arts practice and performances may be held with certain restrictions and conditions. It is understood that practice, contests, or performances will not be conducted without the approval of the Director of School Administration and Athletics/Activities or designee. Should practice be permitted, the earliest practice will begin no earlier than 11:00 a.m. The decision as to whether or not contests or performances will be held during the evening hours will be made by the Director of School Administration and Athletics/Activities or designee in consultation with building administration, the building and grounds supervisor and appropriate county agencies. The decision will be made by 2:30 p.m.

Lightning

Because of the seemingly random nature of thunderstorms and lightning, the Blue Valley School District cannot guarantee an individual or group absolute protection from lightning strikes. However, being aware of and following lightning safety guidelines can greatly reduce the risk of injury or death.

Blue Valley School District has installed Electrical Storm Identification Devices (ESID) within the district. Administrators receive up-to-the-minute weather information on their alphanumeric pagers to enable them to make reasonable decisions regarding our students.

It is the ultimate responsibility of the game official to suspend or discontinue play based on information from the administration. Outdoor activities will not start or continue if one of the following occurs:

• The location of the activity is under a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning that has been issued by the National Weather Service.
• A lightning report (Example: "Warning from ESID! Northwest Area---Lightning received within 1-5 miles.") from the district's lightning detection system (ESID) has been received by the administrator from a Blue Valley alphanumeric pager. After a lightning report has been issued by ESID or after lightning has been viewed, the administrator is to wait 30 minutes after the last lightning sighting, thunder clap, or 15 minutes after the ESID all clear message before resuming outdoor activity.
• Johnson County emergency weather alert scanners, located in each school, broadcast a message of severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning.

Each individual is ultimately responsible for his/her personal safety and has the right to take reasonable and appropriate action when threatened by lightning without fear of repercussion. Adults must take responsibility for the safety of children in their care during a thunderstorm. During the lightning event, players must be moved to indoor locations and fans are urged to take shelter away from metal bleachers and poles. Fans and parents may seek shelter inside their cars during such an event.

Heat Guidelines

Download: Heat guidelines (PDF)