Emergency School Closing Information

For snow, ice, or other cold weather-related closures, we will evaluate current and forecasted conditions during morning and afternoon travel windows. We will also assess the readiness of our facilities, including plowed parking lots and sidewalks, as well as the ability of local municipalities to maintain safe streets. Additionally, we will work closely with our transportation provider to ensure buses, vans and taxis can operate safely. Our district will coordinate with neighboring school districts, local and state officials, and meteorologists to make the most informed decision possible.

If schools need to be closed, we will notify families by 5:00 a.m. on the day of the closure to allow time for childcare arrangements and schedule adjustments. When possible, we will communicate the decision the evening before, typically between 6 and 9:30 p.m., if the forecast clearly warrants closure. If a decision is made after 9:30 p.m., we will wait until morning to send notifications.

Here are the factors that go into making the decision to close schools in the winter:

• Air temperature and wind chill (we will utilize the NOAA wind chill chart below)
• The amount of snow and ice on the ground
• The accessibility of buildings and roads
• Potential issues with heating systems or power outages
• The ability to transport students safely

Throughout the winter season, our maintenance crews test equipment regularly to ensure heating systems are working well, and every school has a snow removal plan so that sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots are clear for students and staff. 

How does the district decide to institute an interrupted or emergency closing day due to heat?

The district refers to the NOAA HEAT INDEX CHART which provides information about the likelihood of heat disorders due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity. If the forecasts call for the outdoor heat index to be at the “danger” level or higher, this triggers a decision to either shorten the school day, or close school. When the outdoor heat index is at this level, our indoor classrooms generally have even higher heat indexes, at what the National Weather Service has determined is the danger level. The Illinois School Code allows for the use of interrupted school days or emergency closing days for adverse weather conditions.

How does the district ensure the comfort and safety of children when school is in session on hot and humid days?

With the exception of Edgewood Middle School, Indian Trail Elementary School, Northwood Middle School, Oak Terrace Elementary School and Ravinia Elementary School (at Green Bay), buildings in North Shore School District 112 are not fully air-conditioned. During periods of extreme temperatures and humidity, district staff members take precautions to ensure that children are adequately hydrated and stay as comfortable as possible. Below are guidelines that district staff follow during warm-weather conditions:

• Ensure that drinking water is readily available and that students are well hydrated
• Remind students and staff to wear lightweight, loose-fitting cotton clothing
• Prevent students from over-exerting themselves
• Keep children indoors or in shady outside areas during the hottest parts of the day
• Take all necessary steps to ensure keeping classroom temperatures comfortable
• Keep windows and doors open, and have at least one fan running
• Monitor temperature and humidity levels throughout the day in rooms expected to have high temperatures, and calculate the effective temperature
• Move students to cooler areas of the building in rooms where ET exceeds 85 and there are more than 2 hours remaining in the school day

Does the district take into consideration the difficulties that working parents face in arranging childcare when the school day is interrupted or school is closed? 

The district’s first priority is to ensure the health and safety of students and to provide a classroom environment that is effective and conducive to learning. When the indoor temperatures rise beyond a certain level, it can cause adverse health consequences, and the learning environment is disrupted. During periods of extreme heat, the district monitors classroom temperatures and rotates children to cooler areas of the building.

During the very warmest periods of the day, it becomes more difficult to maintain optimal learning conditions for all students and to ensure that children aren’t exposed for a prolonged period to potentially dangerous heat conditions. The district is aware that it is difficult for families when changes are made to the school day on short notice. However, the health and safety of the children must come first.

How would interrupted days and emergency closing days impact the school calendar? 

Any unscheduled early release days will NOT affect the school calendar. These count as full school days, and the state does not require that they be made up. All emergency closing days must be made up, and the school calendar will be modified accordingly and submitted to the state for approval.

Grades K to 8: Bus routes will pick up two hours after regularly scheduled pickups (unless otherwise notified).

Start Times:
Edgewood, Northwood: 10 a.m.
Braeside, Indian Trail, Oak Terrace, Ravinia, Wayne Thomas: 10:40 a.m. 
Sherwood: 10:36 a.m. 
Red Oak:  10:44 a.m.

Early Childhood Classes at Oak Terrace School: 
Morning Session: No attendance
Afternoon Session:  Regular schedule:  12:47- 3:17 p.m. 
Instructional Learning Program (ILP):  10:40 a.m.-1:43 p.m. Parents/guardians are responsible for providing transportation to school at 10:40 a.m. Regular transportation will be provided home at 1:43. 
Speech Services: All itinerant speech services scheduled to start prior to 10:40 a.m will be cancelled.