Officials in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 hope to get through the 2024-25 school year without losing any in-school days because of bad weather, but the district does have a full inclement weather plan in place, in case it is needed.
District 181 had three days during the 2023-24 school year when schools were closed because of the weather.
“While we all hope that this winter does not bring any severe weather, it is important to be reminded of the decision process and plans if severe weather occurs,” said Jeffrey Alstadt, District 181’s director of communication. “We’ll always try to communicate as early as we can if we’re going to have an (inclement weather) day. Things can change, as weather conditions do change, but we want to give everyone as much notice as possible.”
He said the assessment of weather conditions will begin the day before, if possible, with student and staff safety as the number one priority. The variables in making a decision about calling for an inclement weather day include local weather forecasts, road conditions, temperature and wind chill, the availability of drivers and buses, whether safety components, such as power, furnace, heat, water, and telephones are functioning properly, and communication/collaboration with Hinsdale High School District 86 and its feeder schools.
If a decision on designating an inclement weather day can be made the day before a closure, communication will be sent no later than 9:30 p.m., Alstadt said. If a decision for a closure is made the same day, the plan is to hopefully send a communication between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m.
“Setting these time parameters eliminates the need for families to check emails overnight, while still allowing enough time to make childcare arrangements when necessary,” Alstadt said. He said communication will be sent to the contact information on file for families and staff via email and phone.
“Phone calls will be made to families and staff only in the event that schools are closed,” Alstadt said, adding that phone calls will not be made when a decision is still in progress, or the decision has been made that schools will be open.
Text messages will be sent to families and staff who have opted-in to receive them, and closure information also will be posted on the district website, Instagram, and X. Additional information on weather-related closures can be found at www.d181.org/weather.
District 181 will again use remote learning when schools are closed because of inclement weather, a tool that was started, and was used significantly, during the COVID-19 pandemic. One significant change from past years for 2024-25 is that after two consecutive remote learning days, a snow day will be taken, with no attendance, live or remote.
“That change came from feedback from our stakeholders,” Alstadt said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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