As in the past, superintendents in our area have collaborated with one another and meteorologists to determine guidelines for temperature-related school closings.
The District’s severe weather guidelines are sent home in letter format with each student, are posted on our website, and are included below.
- Schools will be closed if there is a forecasted sustained wind chill of -30 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, or when the actual temperature is a sustained -15 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, between the travel times of 5:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and/or 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. School districts in the area will rely on forecasts provided by the National Weather Service.
- For snow, ice, or other weather-related closings, the District will monitor the current conditions and the forecasted conditions between the travel times listed above. Other school closing considerations include the District’s ability to plow parking lots, the local municipalities’ ability to plow streets, and our bus service’s ability to run safe routes.
- If school will be closed, the District will make the notification by 5:30 a.m. the day of the closing. If the forecast undoubtedly warrants school closing, it is possible that the District may determine to close school the night before. In that case, you will be notified between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
In addition to SchoolMessenger phone and email notifications, the District will update its website and social media accounts, and the Emergency Closing Center website (www.emergencyclosingcenter.com) as soon as a decision to close school is made. In the event school is open but after school and/or evening activities are cancelled, notifications will be posted on the appropriate school website.
The safety and security of students is a priority for School District 21. Should parents decide to keep their child at home on a day that school is open, a call should still be placed to the school’s attendance line so the absence can be marked as excused.
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