It appears that our extended gloriously warm autumn has come to an end. The snow and ice have already arrived, and we are supposed to see frigid temperatures next week.

I thought this might be a good time to remind you how decisions are made to close or keep schools open during inclement weather.

The decision to close District 153 schools rests with me. There is no specific temperature that will automatically trigger a decision to close the schools.  However, special consideration is given when temperatures are below zero or wind chills fall below -20. 

 

Among the factors I consider are these:

• Are the roads passable? Can school buses safely navigate residential streets? Will school district personnel have trouble making it into work? 
• Can a child who is appropriately dressed for the weather safely walk outside for 10-20 minutes? The majority of our "walkers" have a ten-minute or less walk. Have community residents had a reasonable amount of time to clear sidewalks after the most recent snowfall?
• What is the longer-term weather forecast? Will closing the schools one day mean closing for several more due to similarly predicted conditions?
• Will the potential benefits of closing the schools outweigh the potential disruptions to our families' life and work schedules?

What other school districts are choosing to do is also a consideration, but frankly, it is a lesser one. Each school district has its own unique local factors to take into consideration, so what another school district decides may not be the right decision for District 153.

It is always a parent's prerogative to keep their child home from school. Only a parent can decide what is in their child's and family's best interest. A parent need only call the school to report their child's absence.

 

When we decide to close the schools

When the District plans to close schools, the announcement is immediately posted on our website, hsd153.org, and to our school district Facebook page. The information is also sent to local news outlets, but we have no control over how quickly or accurately that information is disseminated.

Families will also receive a telephone call from our emergency automated telephone service either the night before or early in the morning of a school closure.  PLEASE LISTEN TO ALL TELEPHONE MESSAGES FROM DISTRICT 153. During a closure, no one will be here to answer your question if you try to call the school or district office to ask what the telephone call was about.

 

#153strong

 

Dr. Dale Mitchell, Superintendent

Congratulations to the first trimester recipients of the "Panther Pride" awards at James Hart School! These students were selected for special recognition by their teachers for excelling in the areas of academic performance, effort and determination, friendliness and disposition, and/or service to their school and community.

(L to R) Front: Karani Tabor, Quentin Gamble, Travis Weishaar. Back: Umar Ryan, Asya Lengel, Natalia Ojeba, Saniyah Thomas, Riches Ette.