Winter Weather School Closing Guidelines
As we enter the winter months, CCSD59 would like to update you on decisions that contribute to closing school in the event of a weather-related closing and when you can expect to be notified.
The District will follow these general guidelines when closing schools for winter-related closings:
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 on the School District 59 voice message auto attendant (847-593-4300) and on the voice message system at each affected district school.
Typically, the District does not send out a telephone SchoolMessenger notice after 9:30 pm, 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 pm, we will update school accounts and the Emergency Closing Center Website (www.emergencyclosingcenter.com) as soon as a decision has been made. The SchoolMessenger notice will be also sent prior to 5:30 am the following morning.
In the event of severe weather, information regarding afternoon and evening co-curricular activities, athletics, and community education classes will be updated by 1:00 pm or whenever practicable on the District website at ccsd59.org.
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 am and/or 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm. 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, the District 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, the District will make the notification by 5:30 am 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 – the District will attempt to notify you between 6:00 pm and 9:30 pm.
School Code and District policy allow parents to call their student out, as excused, in the event that the district keeps schools open, but as a family, you have concerns about your child safely traveling to or from school.
As always, the safety and security of our students and staff remain a top priority of our District, as they are for you as well.