North Cook News

Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 recently issued the following announcement.

The community should assume that classes are in session at the normal time unless otherwise notified.

Priority on Safety

During 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 child care 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, excessive snow, flooding, etc.)
• Timing of the weather events
• The ability of buses and cars to travel safely
• The operable condition of our buildings

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 child to school, please contact the school attendance office and the student will be given an excused absence.

Making the Decision

The Superintendent of Schools determines when and if conditions at one or more of the 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, depending on the condition.

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

The National Weather Service (NWS) will be the primary meteorological source to determine and declare weather conditions such as snow forecasts, wind-chill advisory or wind-chill warnings.

School may be cancelled due to weather conditions or other emergency conditions that made the operation of school facilities unsafe.  School may be cancelled for all District 34 school facilities or for an individual facility as necessary. When school is cancelled, all after-school activities, student events, athletic events and practices and field trips will be cancelled unless specifically announced by the school principal.

Notification About Closure

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 for certain and warrant closure. In the event of a school closing or other emergency, parents and staff can expect to receive an automated phone call, email, and text. Emergency and closing information is also available on:

• The District and school websites
• The District’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
• The Emergency Closings Center
• Local media outlets, including major radio and TV sources

Parents must update their contact information during registration each year, and throughout the year if you change your phone number or e-mail address. Parents can update information by logging into your PowerSchool account and clicking on "Registration" in the left navigation bar. Staff should update personal phone numbers with Human Resources.

 Severe Cold – Two Possible Outcomes

Wind-Chill Warning – Schools Will Be Closed

Schools will be closed under the condition of a wind-chill warning.  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 degrees Fahrenheit or colder and the winds are greater than or equal to 10 mph OR the actual temperature is -15° F.

 General range: wind-chills -30°F or lower and wind speeds 10 mph or greater or actual temperature -15°F or lower

• Classes will be cancelled and school closure protocols will be instituted.
• All notification systems will be leveraged to send school cancellation communications to families.
• Extracurricular activities will be cancelled.

 Wind-Chill Advisory – Schools Will Be Open

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 degrees Fahrenheit or colder AND the winds are greater to OR equal to 10 mph.

 General range: wind-chills -20°F to -29°F and wind speeds 10 mph or greater or Actual temperature -5°F to -14°F

• Schools will be open and student attendance is expected.
• Fire and Police will be notified prior to the start of these school days.
• Extracurricular activities will be evaluated and may be suspended if conditions persist.
• All outside student activities will be suspended.

Original source can be found here.