JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. — The frozen Joachim Creek in Jefferson County was a fierce reminder of the frigidness Monday morning.
Just a few minutes away is the Festus School District, ready to go up against that weather.
Communications Coordinator Kevin Pope braved the cold on Monday to talk about plans for the extreme temperatures.
Pope spoke to 5 On Your Side before it was announced that the school district would be closed on Tuesday. However, the district's cold weather plans still apply for the days school is in session this week.
"The buses are plugged in to try to keep the engine blocks warm on some of the buses. This afternoon, our transportation director and other bus drivers came in to start all the buses and ran them so we could make sure they were all in running order," Pope explained.
Drivers will also come in earlier to get the buses warmed up.
Pope also encouraged students to stay inside their homes until they see their bus at the stop.
He added, "Buses may be running slightly late tomorrow morning just for the simple fact because the drivers are waiting a bit of time at each stop."
Once they arrive to school, students will remain inside.
"They will not be going outside for P.E. or any recess whatsoever," he said.
Also preparing for extreme temperatures is Hancock School District in Lemay.
Superintendent Dr. Kevin Carl said a priority is to make sure things are running smoothly.
"It's really about checking our facilities, making sure that we don't have any frozen pipes, making sure that our heat is running, and of course that those buses are starting," he said.
Carl explained the decision to close or remain open is a case-by-case situation.
He told 5 On Your Side, "It's really a myriad of things we look at. So some of its topography, some of it's where districts are located. How long are students on a bus in a particular district? Those things play into the final decision."
The overall goal, though, is to keep students at the forefront.
"It's going to be the district's goal to do everything we can to keep things as regular as usual, but it's cold out there, and we want to make sure that students are safe first and foremost and that our schools are warm and inviting and ready for them to come in and learn tomorrow," Carl said.