Student safety determines when to close District 203 schools
The holiday season is now upon us, as well as the end of the first semester of the school year. And although we at Naperville Unit District 203 have plenty to be proud of to share with our community, I would like to take this opportunity to share important information on the school district's process in determining closures and late starts due to inclement weather. Student safety is our No. 1 priority and is the determining factor in all these decisions.
School closures and late starts will be announced by 5:45 a.m. on the district website, naperville203.org, and through the District's Talk203 notification system (email, text and telephone calls). In addition, school closures and late starts are reported to the Emergency Closing Center (emergencyclosingcenter.com), which broadcasts the information via WGN-AM 720 and WBBM-AM 780 radio stations, as well as the Chicago television affiliates of CBS (Channel 2), NBC (Channel 5), ABC (Channel 7), FOX (Channel 32), and WGN-TV (Channel 9) and CLTV cable. Families also may call the district Administrative Offices, (630) 420-6300, to hear a recorded telephone message concerning a school closing or late start. Notices also are provided on the district's social media accounts, Facebook and Twitter, immediately after the information is posted on the website.
In Naperville 203, we implement a late start schedule on severe weather days when it is forecast that conditions will improve later in the day. The late start schedule provides the flexibility to begin school two hours later than normal, allowing time for roads to be cleared and temperatures to rise. 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. On late start days, parents and staff are encouraged to continue to monitor the district website for updates on the status of after-school activities. Information will be posted no later than 2 p.m.
For information on school closings and late start, including specific start times, please visit our website at naperville203.org/Page/2097. This page also provides important information on ensuring your contact information is correct to receive the district's Talk 203 messages.
The district uses information from the National Weather Service and other sources and consults with the county and surrounding school districts to determine when conditions might pose a serious enough health risk to necessitate closing schools. The district has plans in place to prepare buses and buildings for the cold. School district staff ventures out very early in the mornings to ensure parking lots and walkways are clear for safe passage. School district staff members also assess street conditions to ensure roads are safe for bus travel.
It is important to note that the school district will contact parents only if schools will be starting late, dismissing early or closed. Otherwise, the day is scheduled as normal. For up-to-date information on school closings or late starts, as well as other Naperville 203 news, consider following us on Twitter, @Naperville203, on Facebook, facebook.com/Naperville203 and on Instagram, instagram.com/napervilledistrict203. You also are welcome to follow me on Twitter, @DanBridges203 for district updates and news.
A sincere thank you for your continued support of the school district and, on behalf of all of Naperville 203, happy holidays!
• Dan Bridges is superintendent of Naperville Unit District 203. During the school year, his column runs monthly in Neighbor.