Emergency Closing Information

  • Posted November 14, 2015
Emergency Closing Information

 

 

Emergency Closing Information

  

 

         


 

 

Dear District 30 Parents,

During the school year, there may be times when one or all of the schools may be closed. In most cases, school closures are the result of weather related conditions. The Northfield Township Superintendents have developed the following guidelines pertaining to these closures. Whenever a decision is made to close school or alter the school day, it is based on the general safety conditions for all students and staff.

The District recognizes that conditions may vary for each individual family. If school is open and you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to school, please contact the school attendance office, and the student will be given an excused absence.

Parents and students should assume that classes are in session at the normal time unless otherwise notified.

Guidelines for School Closures

Priority on Safety

During periods of inclement weather or in emergency situations, our first priority is the safety and welfare of our students and staff. At the same time, the closing of school can be burdensome to families due to childcare and work schedules. We consider cancelling school to be an exception, and we place a strong emphasis on keeping our schools open. Some of the primary factors that are considered when making a decision include: 

  • The safety and well-being of students and staff

  • Severity of the weather (extreme cold, flooding, etc.)

  • Timing of the weather

  • The ability of buses and cars to travel safely

  • The operable condition of our buildings

Making the Decision

The Superintendent of Schools determines when and if conditions at one or more schools warrant the cancellation of school. This decision is normally made in collaboration with the District Administration, other area superintendents, local Village departments, the bus service provider, and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Northbrook/ Glenview School District 30 works collaboratively with Northfield Township Districts 27, 28, 31, 34, 225, and NSSED on school closings. Because we have many families whose students are enrolled within District 225 and District 30, we seek to be consistent to create the least amount of disruption to our families. This may not always occur, but please be assured it is a priority in our deliberations.

Data Source: The National Weather Service (NWS at http://www.weather.gov/) will be the primary meteorological source to determine and declare weather conditions, such as snow forecasts, wind-chill advisory, or wind-chill warnings.

Notification to Our Parents

In the event of a school closing or other emergency, parents can expect to receive an automated phone call and e-mail. This system will be tested on November 7, 2015. We ask that all parents help to make sure that their contact information is accurate and complete.

School closure decisions will normally be made before 6:00 a.m. the day of closure. This allows weather conditions to be monitored overnight to avoid unnecessary closures. Closure decisions will only be made the night before if conditions are known with a high degree of certainty and warrant closure. Parents should establish contingency plans for possible closures throughout the school year regardless of the season.

Emergency and closing information is also available through the following sources:

  • School and district websites

  • The district’s social media channels

  • The following media Sources

 

Family Discretion

As always, if parents decide that conditions their family face require their student(s) to remain at home, simply inform the school about the absence. Whenever a decision is made to cancel school or alter the school day, it is based on the general safety conditions for all students and staff. The district recognizes that conditions may vary for each individual student or family. If you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to school, please contact the school attendance office, and the student will be given an excused absence.

General Information Regarding School Cancellation

School may be cancelled due to weather conditions or other emergency conditions that create unsafe conditions. School may be cancelled for all District 30 school facilities, or for an individual facility, as necessary. General guidelines for a closed school include:

  • All after school activities and field trips will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

  • All student events will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

  • Athletic events and practices will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

  • PTO events that have event contracts to use district facilities will be cancelled unless announced by the school principal.

Early Dismissal: This option may also be utilized by our schools if weather conditions worsen during the day. If waiting until the end of the day to dismiss students makes it significantly less safe for our students and families, then early dismissal will be implemented.

Severe Cold - Two Possible Outcomes

Wind-Chill Warning - Schools Will Be Closed

Definition: A wind-chill warning indicates that life-threatening conditions and a risk to safety exist.  Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property immediately. A wind-chill warning is typically issued when the wind-chill will be -30°F or colder AND the wind speed is is 10 mph or greater, OR the actual temperature is -15° F or colder.

 District Action:

  • Classes will be cancelled, and school closure protocols will be instituted.

  • All notification systems will be leveraged to send school cancellation communications to families.

  • After school activities will be cancelled.

 Wind-chill Advisory - Schools Will Be Open

 Definition: A wind-chill advisory is issued when conditions do not meet the wind-chill warning criteria but still cause significant inconvenience. The weather during a wind-chill advisory is not life threatening but presents conditions that may result in inconvenience or pose moderate risk to safety. A wind-chill advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20 to -29°F AND wind speed is 10 mph or greater, OR the actual temperature is -5°F to -14°F.

 District Action:

  • Schools will be open and student attendance is expected.

  • Fire and Police will be notified prior to the start of the school day of the Severe Cold Action Day designation.

  • In the case of a fire alarm, school administrators will be given authority to institute protocols to quickly return students to a safe interior location.

  • After school activities will be evaluated and may be suspended, if conditions persist.

  • All field trips during the school day will be suspended.

  • All outside student activities will be suspended.

 In preparation for another winter in Chicago, I appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate weather and other challenges that may develop. Again, I emphasize that student and staff safety remains our highest priority, and we will hold school when the learning environment is safe and productive.

As a reminder, whenever a decision is made to close school or alter the school day, it is based on the general safety conditions for all students and staff. The District recognizes that conditions may vary for each individual family. If school is open and you feel that it is unsafe to send your student to school, please contact the school attendance office, and the student will be given an excused absence.

Sincerely,

Dr. Brian K. Wegley

Superintendent of Schools