FAQs

Storms vary in magnitude, timing and direction and change. Sometimes schools, services and offices etc. are advised to be closed yet a storm changes direction and we end up with just a blustery day. Decisions with respect to storms and schools on the Cayman Islands are made with abundance of caution in mind. Hurricane Ivan remains, and for good reason, deep in the psyche of the Cayman Islands. The projections that this year’s hurricane season will be particularly active does not help allay concerns for some. Sometimes a seemingly  innocuous storm gaining strength can cause considerable damage. Conversely, sometimes what is reported by meteorologists and professional climate agencies to be emerging storms for a particular area, change direction.

Indeed it can be frustrating when the direction is that schools are to be closed and a storm passes us by or does not materialize as originally projected by professional climate agencies and authorities. Thus the scenario of there being no school for students on what could amount to merely a blustery day. People who have lived in the Cayman Islands or other storm susceptible regions for an extended period of time have no doubt experienced this-as what happened most recently on Monday.

It is frustrating for schools to close for sure. Since storm related decisions in the Cayman Islands are made with an abundance of caution in mind, the Cayman Islands and its schools choose to err on safety prudence. CIS’ is registered and inspected by the Ministry of Education, our protocol is to follow government decisions on school closures. The notion is that it is better to have the frustration of a blustery day and no school, than to have school and have flooding, debris, traffic dangers and potential injury because a storm changed direction and schools remain open. In the case of CIS over 3,500 people have a schedule interruption in the event of a school closure, informed in advance or otherwise (in the case of emergencies such as an earthquake or fire).

Of course, when an announcement is made that schools are to be closed and weather changes overnight and a storm passes, the benefits / debates of hindsight can begin. This can certainly happen if an All Clear announcement is made for the Cayman Islands the morning of a day when schools were announced the previous day to be closed. When this happens the schools and the Ministry of Education weigh in multiple factors such such as the timing of the All Clear, events scheduled on island, family plans made in light of storm warnings (i.e. child care, work schedules, time with children, clean-up etc.) availability of staff (i.e. child care issues (particularly, if some schools are open and some are closed), home flooding, transport issues etc. may still affect people despite and All Clear, review of school infrastructure for function and safety (i.e. clean-up of debris, leaks, power supply, connectivity etc.). Thus a decision to remain closed as per prior announcements or to reopen on short notice (if there is good fortune for a storm to pass) is not taken lightly. If there has already been an announcement that schools will be closed, it is unlikely that such a decision will be reversed. Of course noting that when a School Closure or Storm Warning Lifted or All Clear announcement is made by the Cayman Islands, they are also managing multiple interests such as businesses possibly being anxious to open or close, environmental challenges, utilities, infrastructure and safety authorities possibly preferring to delay an All Clear until risk assessments are thoroughly checked and double checked.

• Please be reminded that CIS will be in line with recommendations and announcements made by the Ministry of Education and information from Hazard Management Cayman Islands in the event that schools are to be closed due to tropical storm warnings and potential developments into hurricane conditions.
• CIS receives notices from, and is in communication with, the Ministry of Education regarding mandates, direction and guidelines regarding school closures and openings during storm season.
  • The above is also in conjunction with their communication with Hazard Management Cayman Islands and the Governor’s Office.

Storms vary in magnitude, timing and direction. Sometimes schools, services and offices etc. are advised to be closed yet a storm changes direction and we end up with just a blustery day.

• Decisions with respect to storms and schools on the Cayman Islands are made with abundance of caution in mind. Hurricane Ivan (September 2004) remains, and for good reason, deep in the psyche of the Cayman Islands. The more recent Tropical Storm / Hurricane Grace (August 2021) is an example of a seemingly innocuous storm gaining strength and causing considerable damage.
• Indeed it can be frustrating when the direction is that schools are to be closed and a storm passes us by or does not materialize as originally projected by authorities. Thus, creating the scenario of having no school for students on what could amount to merely a blustery day. People who have lived in the Cayman Islands or other storm susceptible regions for an extended period of time have no doubt experienced this.
• It is frustrating for schools to close for sure. Since storm related decisions in the Cayman Islands are made with an abundance of caution in mind, the Cayman Islands and its schools choose to err on safety prudence. The notion is that it is better to have the frustration of a blustery day and no school, than to have school and have flooding, debris, traffic dangers and potential injury because a storm changed direction and schools remain open.
  • In the case of CIS over 3500 people have a schedule interruption in the event of a school closure, informed in advance or otherwise (in the case of emergencies such as an earthquake or fire).
• Of course, when an announcement is made that schools are to be closed and weather changes overnight and a storm passes, the benefits / debates of hindsight can begin. This can certainly happen if an All Clear announcement is made for the Cayman Islands the morning of a day when schools were announced the previous day to be closed. When this happens the schools and the Ministry of Education weigh in multiple factors, such as;
  • The timing of the All Clear, events scheduled on island, family plans made in light of storm warnings (i.e. child care, work schedules, time with children, clean-up, etc.) 
  • Availability of staff (i.e. child care issues (particularly, if some schools are open and some are closed), 
  • Home flooding, transport issues of CIS community
  • Cleaning protocols that may have been interrupted
  • Differences in power outages and other disrupted services around the island
  • Many of the above items may still affect people despite an All Clear. Such as conducting a comprehensive review of school infrastructure for function and safety (i.e. clean-up of debris, leaks, power supply, connectivity etc.).

Thus a decision to remain closed as per prior announcements or to reopen on short notice (if there is good fortune for a storm to pass) is not taken lightly. If there has already been an announcement that schools will be closed, it is unlikely that such a decision will be reversed. In an effort to best balance information, communities’ diverse wishes and certainly people’s safety. CIS is reviewing its processes taking a best account possible in the future event of an early All Clear announcement. Of course noting that when an All Clear announcement is made by the Cayman Islands, they are also managing multiple interests such as, businesses possibly being anxious to open, environmental, utilities and safety authorities possibly preferring to delay an All Clear until risk assessments are thoroughly checked and double checked.

• The Atlantic Hurricane Season is six months and is considered 1 June to 30 November. Please know that storms can form outside of this season on occasion.
• 2020 was the most active year in recorded history for hurricanes in the Atlantic. The trend is that the number of hurricanes each year is increasing and it is anticipated that the 2020’s will be very active.

• Tropical depressions and tropical storms are types of tropical cyclones. A depression has winds up to 38 miles/ hour (61 kilometres / hour). A tropical storm has wind speeds of 39 to 73 miles / hour (62 to 118 kilometres / hour). A tropical depression and a tropical storm have an identified centre.
• These tropical cyclones (depressions and storms) become a hurricane if there are sustained winds of 74 miles / hours (119 kilometres / hour). The categories or rankings of hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson Scale are as follows,
  • Category 1 - 74 to 95 miles / hour (119 to 153 Kilometres / hour).
  • Category 2 - 96 to 110 miles / hour (154 to 177 Kilometres / hour).
  • Category 3 - 111 to 130 miles / hour (155 to 209 Kilometres / hour).
  • Category 4 - 131 to 155 miles / hour (209 to 249 Kilometres / hour).
  • Category 5 - 156 miles / hour or greater (250 Kilometres / hour or greater.
• Categories 3, 4 and 5 are considered major or intense hurricanes.

• A tropical cyclone is given a name when it becomes a tropical storm (thus tropical depressions are not given names). It is easier to keep track of and remember the name of a storm rather than its positioning by latitude and longitude. Naming storms also helps limit confusion when there is more than one storm or hurricane happening at the same time.
• The names of English, Spanish and French origin. They are given in alphabetical order except the letters Q, U, X, Y and Z.
• Some storm names are retired. This is when a storm caused so much destruction that it would be insensitive or confusing to use the name again. For example, the names Ivan and Paloma are retired.

• Hazard Management Cayman Islands: http://www.caymanprepared.gov.ky
• Cayman Islands National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov.ky
• National Hurricane Centre: https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/

We are excited to share that CIS has a Air Quality Monitor. Families can now track Air Quality around CIS here.

The air filtration systems have MERV ratings 8 to 13. These ratings are the same as typically found in hospital laboratories and superior commercial / residential buildings.

Selected air handling units use a double filter system. The pre-filters (MERV 8) are changed every three months as part of our regular protocol. The primary filters (MERV 13) are changed annually as part of our regular protocol. All filters are inspected every three months and if needed an early change is made. The above protocol meets and exceeds industry standard.

The air-handling units utilize UV-C technology (Ultraviolet Light) to neutralize airborne pathogens.

The school monitors air quality outside and inside the school. In addition to particulate matter, the meters also measure carbon dioxide concentration, VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) temperature and humidity. All of the above readings are consistently in the good or better range.

The drinking water at CIS is from the Cayman Water Company Ltd. This is the same water company that supplies water for all residences, hotels, business, doctor offices, dental clinics, etc. from roughly Marbel Drive (near St. Matthew’s University Residence) to West Bay.

Water on Grand Cayman Island, unlike many other places in the world, is not drawn from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs, thus island drinking water is not affected by groundwater. The water comes from the desalination plants on Grand Cayman Island.

The drinking fountains at CIS are all individually filtered, and the filters are changed on a regular basis.

The DEH (Department of Environmental Health) conducts additional tests on our water annually. This is beyond the regular monitoring by the Cayman Water Company.

The soil at CIS was tested prior to the two recent building projects. In both cases soil readings showed that the soil at the school site is safe and typical of soil readings on Grand Cayman Island.

Remote Learning Related to Short-Term School Closures

In the case of short-term school closures, a switch to remote learning is not automatic. Factors considered first include time for people to further prepare for pending weather (i.e. additional food stores, sandbags, battery packs etc.), connectivity (noting connectivity can vary between different parts of the island), magnitude of weather (noting that even in this recent stint, areas to the south of the school received over 13 inches / 33 cm of rain and areas to the west of school received 6 inches / 15 cm), level of flooding where people live (noting that staff serving in schools on island tend to live in areas more vulnerable to flooding and infrastructure issues), and power.

In the event of inclement weather, CIS may be in a position to offer remote learning opportunities. The priority is student and staff safety, and home preparation - before considering activation of remote learning for short-term closures (being defined as two to three days). Timing of remote learning activation for short term scenarios will vary and will not be immediate. It is recognized that for some, remote learning will be problematic, for some appreciated, for some not enough, for some just right, and for some too much. In the event of a hurricane or tropical storm warning, CIS may or may not be in position to offer remote learning opportunities that will depend on infrastructure, connectivity, magnitude of weather, and safety.

Below is a brief synopsis of what remote learning opportunities may look like if there is a short-term school closure and remote learning is activated.

Early Childhood

• Email message from school indicating remote learning will be activated.
• A menu of asynchronous learning engagements designed to compliment learning outcomes addressed during normal school days.
• Learning menu provided by EC leadership, with teachers available to clarify questions via email during normal school hours.

Elementary School

• Email message from school indicating remote learning will be activated.
• Teachers will use Seesaw to reshare with parents links to digital resources and specify a list of available learning activities.

Middle School

• Email message from school indicating remote learning will be activated
• Start of day homeroom video check-in - schedule for the day is shared
• Exact schedules may vary depending on time of closures, nature of weather or other issue
• Asynchronous learning opportunities with teachers available during scheduled times to answer questions and provide support
• Synchronous opportunities will depend on the nature of groups and studies at the time

High School

• Email message from school indicating remote learning will be activated
• Start of day homeroom video check-in - schedule for the day is shared
• Exact schedules may vary depending on time of closures, nature of weather or other issue
• Asynchronous learning opportunities with teachers available during scheduled times to answer questions and provide support
• Synchronous opportunities will depend on the nature of groups and studies at the time

Activation of the Home Learning Program (HLP) - Long-Term School Closures

In very rare instances CIS may need to activate the Home Learning Program (HLP) due to long-term school closures. Scenarios that may precipitate this include and are not limited to,

• Epidemics and pandemics
• Natural disasters
• Civil unrest

Whilst we hope not to need it, the CIS Home Learning (HLP) guide provides details regarding the implementation and activation of the HLP. Of note, it is a minimum of two days for HLP learning to be activated in the above cases in light of schools likely being closed for an extended period of time.

A “Minimum of 925 hours of instruction hours for students of compulsory schooling age in The Cayman Islands is noted - How many instruction hours does CIS generally actually provide to students?

• A CIS student in Middle School or High School typically has about 1,215 hours. This does not include additional studies that happen afterschool – thus a typical student might have in the vicinity of 1,400 when factoring things like engaging in robotics afterschool, sport, art etc.
• A CIS student in Elementary School has about 1,170 hours with students in Kindergarten generally having about 1,035 hours.
• When considering school hours, a typical CIS student with a typical attendance record has the equivalent of 5 to 40 more days of instruction relative to the required 925 hours of instruction – excluding the time students may engage in afterschool / office hours programming.