Moore Public Schools prepares for severe weather season

While several school districts across Oklahoma have plans in place for severe and inclement weather, leaders at Moore Public Schools are working to address the physiological impacts of intense weather situations.

What Makes MPS Different

In addition to following state-mandated guidelines for school districts, Moore Public Schools has up to 18 therapists or individual counselors ready year-round to support students.

"Tornado seasons are an active period for our therapists," MPS communications director Anna Aguilar said. "It's hard to learn about math when you're worried about something else."

Thanks to a $90 million bond passed in 2015, every student or staff member in the district has a FEMA-approved place to shelter during school hours.

Moore Public Schools designed the shelters to be usable, familiar spaces for students, such as gyms and choir rooms, in an attempt to ease nerves.

Psychological Impact On The District

Aguilar said she believes the tornado that struck Plaza Towers Elementary School in 2013 still has a lasting impact on the district, which is why leaders say they have a heightened awareness when dealing with severe weather.

"We try to be sensitive to the experiences that our students have had and their families have had," said Aguilar. "There are a lot of employees there are still in the district who experienced the 2013 tornado."

Aguilar said the district moves with sensitivity when conducting drills and dealing with severe weather situations as families navigate anxious feelings.

Community Support

Outside of the halls and walls of Moore's schools, the district is thankful for its community for supporting through devastation, including the most recent tornado from November of 2024 that hit the northeast portion of the district.

"Within 48 hours, we have over $18,000 donated to us from community members, even from people who were from Moore but had moved to New Jersey," Aguilar said.

Guidelines

Moore Public Schools says if a severe weather watch or warning is issued during the school day, parents and guardians have the option of checking out their student and receiving an excused absence.

You can read all of MPS's guidelines by clicking here.