How do we decide?
Late start times and procedures
The following letter explaining the district's emergency closing procedures was sent to families on February 7, 2005.
Dear District 112 Parent,
The District is making every effort to plan for inclement weather while working toward maximizing the number of days that students receive instruction on our originally adopted school calendar. For every day that school is suspended for weather conditions, students will need to attend school later in the summer when classrooms are often uncomfortably warm and summer school and camp schedules are interrupted, or attend on a previously scheduled school holiday.
Two critical factors in making a decision to close schools are the travel conditions of area streets and the likelihood of dangerously unsafe temperatures.
Our recent late start due to snow allowed us to give families and staff extra time to dig out and travel safely to school. As the result of this successful late start, we would like to formalize the use of a late start as a potential response to weather conditions.
When inclement weather threatens, district staff begin planning our response during the night with the goal of finalizing a plan by 5:00 a.m. One of three responses will be considered:
- Opening school on the regular schedule with bus transportation provided as close to the regular pick up times as possible.
- Opening school on a late start schedule of 10:00 a.m. at middle school and 10:40 a.m. at elementary school with bus pick-ups two hours later than normal. Late start times and procedures.
- Canceling attendance at all schools with an additional day added to the school calendar on a previously scheduled school holiday or at the end of the school year.
Every effort will be made to maintain school on a normal schedule. When it appears that some additional time will allow for the clearing of parking lots and the safe transport of students, a late start will be implemented. When it appears that parking lots and streets cannot be cleared to allow for safe bus and car travel, school will be cancelled.
Whether option 1, 2 or 3 is implemented, and a late start or cancellation becomes necessary, schools will be requested to start an emergency phone chain. The most reliable source of information for our families will be our district website www.nssd112.org. and our answering machines in each school. Please call your child’s school to listen to the recorded message to learn if school is open or closed. You may also check the district website to verify school closing information. We will post if school is open or closed on inclement weather days.
Although we will also use broadcast media to get this information to you, our experience is that radio or television reports may contain erroneous information due to the large volume of information they are attempting to broadcast to the public. We will also attempt to get this information onto public access cable television. Frequency and channel information is included on the attached sheet. (Click here.)
Dealing with the unpredictability of the weather is always a challenge. No solution will be ideal for everyone. This appears to be a solution that depending on the conditions, can meet the needs of our children, our families and our staff. I will use this option when conditions can be addressed by a late start. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call my office at 847-681-6700.
Sincerely,Maureen L. Hager, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
C: Cabinet Members
Fred Wright
Mike Guzaldo, First Student