District 202 Schools will be open unless hazardous road or other emergency conditions (including utility problems - electricity or natural gas outages) make it too difficult or dangerous to transport students and/or operate buildings safely. Please plan accordingly.
District 202 will communicate changes to the school schedule, including closings or delayed openings, as early as possible through the district's normal communications channels (see "School Closings/Communications" link below)
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Late Start Schedule
Plainfield School District 202 may use a late start schedule for all schools on severe weather days, rather than closing school altogether. The late start schedule provides the flexibility to begin school generally two hours later than normal, allowing time for roads to be cleared and inclement weather to improve. This alternative eliminates a situation where severe weather in the early morning leads to a decision to close schools for an entire day when it is not warranted.
School Closing/Communications
A decision to close will normally be made by 4:30 a.m., based on road
conditions, weather reports, police reports and personal inspections of streets and
campuses by District 202 personnel.
When schools are to be closed, the media outlets listed in the box to the right will be
notified between 4:30-5:30 a.m.
In addition, all District 202 families and staff (except
those who have asked to be removed from the call list) will also be notified through the
Connect-ED recorded telephone message system, and a note will be posted on the District
202 web site (www.psd202.org), but please also continue to monitor
the stations listed on the right. Parents are asked to not contact the District Office or
school officials until after 7:30 a.m.
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AM Radio
WGN-AM 720
WBBM-AM 780
WJOL-AM 1340
FM Radio
WERV-FM 95.9 (95.9 The River)
WSSR-FM 96.7
WCCQ-FM 98.3
WRXQ-FM 100.7
Television
WBBM-TV (CBS 2)
WMAQ-TV (NBC 5)
WLS-TV (ABC 7)
WGN-TV (Channel 9)
WFLD-TV (Fox 32)
CLTV
Internet
www.emergencyclosings.com
www.psd202.org |
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Absence Because of Adverse Weather Conditions
If the schools are open but parents believe that their child's normal route to school
is unsafe, parents should keep their child at home.
All principals are instructed that
students shall be given an "excused absence" if kept home because either transportation
was unavailable or, in the judgment of the parents, the walk was not safe. Parents should
explain this in a note to the principal following the student's return to school, and should
then contact the school to see that the child makes up work missed. Parents of high school
students should call the attendance office rather than send a written note.
Transportation
District 202 makes every effort to provide safe transportation for students. If road conditions prohibit our school bus drivers
from safely navigating their routes, school will be cancelled. If District 202 determines that it is unsafe to transport District 202 students to school because of bad weather, we will also not transport students who attend school outside of District 202, even if those outside placement schools are open. At times, our buses will be able to operate safely but our drivers
will need to adjust their schedules due to the changing road conditions. When schools are open during adverse weather
conditions, parents are asked to personally supervise the safe loading of children. In some cases, bus departure from school
may begin earlier than usual so that the last riders can return home as close to the normal time as possible. Individuals with
questions are encouraged to call their school principal (see chart below) or the District 202 Transportation Office
(815-436-7800).
Click here for a list of phone numbers.
Procedures for Early Dismissal
School will not normally be dismissed early. Early dismissal produces complications for parents who may be away from their
homes. When weather or emergency conditions dictate an early closing, however, these procedures will be followed:
- A Connect-ED message will be distributed to the affected community.
- The radio stations listed above will be notified.
- Walking students should have notes from home on file in the school office indicating a neighbor's home to which they can
go if their own parents are not at home.
- Unless other written arrangements are on file in the principal's office, bus students will be transported home.
- Schools will remain open at least 30 minutes after the last child has left to allow personnel to respond to any unusual
circumstances.
- If a complete bus route becomes impossible, the bus will return to school, and parents will be consulted concerning
arrangements for transportation and/or lodging. Parents should also make sure that they have given building secretaries
up-to-date information on where they can be reached, as well as the names of friends who are able to respond if called.
Evening Extracurricular Activities When Schools are Closed
A decision will be made concerning extracurricular activities by 2 p.m. of the day that school is closed. Parents and students
are advised to listen to one of the Joliet area radio stations mentioned above for information.
Cooperation
We all need to work together to ensure children are dressed appropriately for cold weather and that child safety is our first
consideration. During the winter, some District 202 custodial and maintenance personnel work around the clock to keep the
buildings open. Bus drivers work an extended schedule to provide transportation over roads that at times are less than ideal.
Parents suffer inconveniences when transportation is interrupted or when weather conditions are adverse. We will continue to
work to make sure that lines of communication are kept open to our students and to our parents in all situations.
Staff Information
When school is closed, all 12-month employees must report to work if possible. All other employees should follow the
requirements of their Association agreements. When a "Late Start Schedule" is used, all employees must report to work
at their regular scheduled time if possible. ***In all cases, employees should consider their own safety before deciding
whether to come to work.
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