2021 Winter Weather Guidelines
With winter weather now upon us, CCSD59 would like to update you on our plans related to inclement weather days, decisions that contribute to closing school, and when you can expect to be notified.
In the event that inclement weather makes it not possible or unsafe for our in-person students and staff to travel to school, the district will enact a fully remote learning day for all students. This day will count as a full attendance day and will not need to be made up at the end of the school year. All students are expected to participate in the remote learning activities assigned by their teacher in order to be counted as in attendance for the inclement weather day.
Staff may not have full access to all of their resources for synchronous learning if school is closed. In this event, staff will do their best to offer students a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences. Teachers will communicate with students the details of the day at the start of the inclement weather day.
The district will follow these general guidelines when closing schools due to winter-related factors.
HOW YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED
When a determination is made that a school or schools should be closed to protect the health and safety of students, the information will be sent to parents and staff via an automated phone notification system, announced on district and school websites and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), and announced on major radio and television stations. A recorded announcement will be made via the SchoolMessenger (847-593-4300) and the voice message system at each affected school.
Typically, the district does not send out a telephone SchoolMessenger notice after 9:30 p.m., as the system can sometimes take up to an hour or so to complete all calls. However, if the determination to close school occurs after 9:00 p.m., we will update school accounts and the Emergency Closing Center Website as soon as a decision has been made. The SchoolMessenger notice will also be sent prior to 5:30 a.m. the following morning.
The following stations will carry emergency closing information:
Radio Stations AM
- WGN 720
- WBBM 780
Television
- WBBM Channel 2
- Fox Network (Cable 12)
- Channel 32
- WGN – Channel 9
- NBC – Channel 5
- ABC – Channel 7
GUIDELINES FOR CLOSING
Schools will be closed if there is a forecasted sustained wind chill of -30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, or when the actual air temperature is a sustained -15 degrees Fahrenheit or colder between the travel times of 5:30 am and 9:00 a.m. and/or 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The district will use forecasts provided by the National Weather Service.
For snow, ice, or other weather-related closings, the district will monitor the current conditions, the forecasted conditions between the travel times listed above, the ability of our staff to plow parking lots and sidewalks, as well as the ability of local municipalities to plow and make streets passable. The district will also be in contact with its transportation carriers to assess their ability to safely run buses. In these situations, CCSD59 will be in contact with local and state officials and meteorologists in order to make the most appropriate decision with the facts known at that respective time.
If school will be closed and a remote learning day enacted, CCSD59 will make the notification by 5:30 a.m. the day of the closing knowing that you may need to arrange for childcare or other schedule changes. If the district is able to make the determination the night before to close school – meaning the forecast undoubtedly warrants closure – CCSD59 will attempt to notify you between 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
As always, the safety and security of CCSD59 students, families, and staff remain a top priority.