Cannon County Schools – Inclement Weather Information for 2023-2024

Bonnie Patterson, the director of Cannon County Schools, and the bus transportation supervisor, Lisa Black, would like to release the following information concerning weather-related closings.

The determination of School Closings or Delays is based on various factors.

  • Actual Road Conditions – Winter weather often arrives overnight or early in the morning.
    When this occurs, Cannon County Schools Transportation Director, Mrs. Lisa Black, will
    contact the Cannon County E-911 Central Dispatch for road conditions. Cannon County
    E-911 information is based on information from Sheriff Deputies, the Tennessee
    Highway Patrol, and the Cannon County Road Department. Bus drivers and Spotters in
    all parts of the county are also contacted for information. Additionally, the director and
    bus transportation supervisor can check road conditions but will rely heavily on the above
    professionals for accurate information concerning all roadways in the county. When the
    call is made to close or delay schools, a Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow message
    will be sent to all who have signed up to receive alerts. (See additional information at the
    end of this press release concerning Bright Arrow messages), local Cannon County media
    are informed, and then the Nashville TV Stations.
  • Forecast for the Day. – Cannon County School personnel use the National Weather
    Service Forecast for the day to determine if any weather is forecasted to move in and
    during the school day. The NWS – Nashville Office website is
    https://www.weather.gov/ohx/. Cannon County School bus drivers are NWS Storm
    Spotter trained. This helps during severe weather events, particularly in the spring.
    Remember severe weather can occur any time of the year. Cannon County School
    personnel constantly check the forecast for any weather that could change during school
    hours and each school is equipped with a weather radio that receives severe weather
    alerts.
  • Surrounding Counties. Cannon County Schools also rely on information concerning
    weather that is received from surrounding counties. The director is in touch with fellow
    Directors of Schools in surrounding counties regarding weather conditions that could
    spread into Cannon County.
    Closings and Delays.
    When inclement weather is determined, the following information will sent out by Bright
    Arrow, local Cannon County media, Nashville TV stations, and social media.
  • Cannon County Schools Closed – All school activities are canceled. A Cannon County
    Schools Bright Arrow message will be issued to all who have signed up to receive alerts,
    and local Cannon County media and Nashville TV stations will be notified. Also, posts
    will be made to the district and schools’ social media accounts. High School, Middle
    School, and Elementary Schools Sports game cancellations are determined on a case-bycase basis, depending on main road conditions. The Director makes the cancellation of
    sporting events of Cannon County Schools in consultation with the CCHS Principal,
    CCHS Athletic Director, CCMS Principal, CCMS Athletic Director, and Elementary
    School Principals.
  • 2 Hours Late – Sometimes Cannon County Schools personnel need more time to
    determine whether to close or to see if road conditions will improve. When this occurs,
    school will be delayed by 2 hours. Here are a few examples of how this would affect the
    school day. If your school doors open regularly at 7 AM, they will open at 9 AM. If a
    bus usually picks up your child at 6:45 AM, the bus will pick up the student at 8:45 AM.
    If the school bell usually rings at 7:30 AM, it will ring at 9:30 AM. If a teacher has bus
    duty and typically reports at 6:55 AM, the teacher would report at 8:55 AM. You simply
    move everything up 2 hours. Cannon County Schools could possibly close if weather
    conditions worsen. If this occurs, an additional Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow
    message will be sent to all who have signed up to receive the alerts, along with a
    notification to local Cannon County media, Nashville TV stations, and social media.
  • 1-Hour Delay – This is rarely used in our school system. If Cannon County Schools are
    going to be delayed, it will almost always be for 2 Hours Late.
  • Other Weather-Related Delays: Sometimes weather events such as tornados and severe
    thunderstorm warnings could delay school dismissal or close early due to impending
    severe weather. This is handled on a case-by-case basis, and a Cannon County Schools
    Bright Arrow message to all who have signed up to receive the alerts will be sent along
    with a notification to local Cannon County media and Nashville TV stations along with
    social media.
    The Cannon County School District hopes this information will help parents, guardians,
    grandparents, and community members understand how decisions and determinations are made
    regarding weather events. Cannon County Director of Schools, Mrs. Bonnie Patterson,
    commented, “Our number one priority is to keep our students and staff safe, and we pledge to
    always “err on the side of caution” when making weather-related decisions.”
    How to sign up for Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts:
  1. Go to http://www.ccstn.net/
  2. Go to News & Announcements
  3. Click on Bright Arrow – Sign Up for School Closure Information
  4. Click To sign up for school closure information notices, click here for Bright Arrow SelfSignup.
  5. Fill in your information – Email Address and Enter a password
  6. Fill in your First Name, Last Name, Login Password, Login Password verification, Cell
    Phone Company, Email, and Hit Apply, OK., or Test. You will then get a Complete Page,
    depending on what you selected.
  7. Now you will get the first alerts the Director of Schools will send out regarding school
    closures for weather and other important Cannon County Schools information!!
  8. To Unsubscribe, log back in using your password and Unsubscribe!
    If a person has already signed up for Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts and has
    NOT been receiving Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts, they may have been
    “opted out.” To reinstate Cannon County Schools Bright Arrow Alerts, “Text the word
    ‘Yes’ to 87569.” This will “opt” the person back “in” to the Cannon County Schools Bright
    Arrow Alerts. If the person continues NOT to receive the Cannon County Schools Bright
    Arrow Alerts, go back to Step 1 and create a new account.