School and Emergency Closings

  • Cancellation

    Should severe weather require the closing of school or make it impossible for buses to operate, the BrightArrow notification system will be utilized. Please be sure you are registered (see information below). You may also listen for an announcement from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on the following radio stations: WGN (720 AM), and WBBM (780 AM); and the following TV stations: CBS, ABC, NBC, WGN, FOX and CLTV News. Our official title is Lake Forest School District 67. You can also check your local school's message machine, the district's main phone line (847-234-6010), the district website, or www.EmergencyClosings.com.

     

    Emergency Late Start

    If the District determines a late start is needed due to inclement weather or other emergency situations, parents/guardians will be notified using the BrightArrow Notification System and through an emergency alert message posted on the District website and all school pages.

     

    BrightArrow

    The BrightArrow system is the primary means of notification by the district and will be utilized should severe weather require the closing of school, or a late start. An alert will be sent to the primary phone number you provided when you first registered with the district. If you wish to receive notification using other devices (cell phone, email, etc.) OR your information has changed, you must update your profile by logging into the BrightArrow Instant Alert website. (For instructions to update your profile, click on the link below.) You can log onto your profile at any time to update your contact information. Maintaining the accuracy of your profile will increase the ability of the school to keep you informed.

    REGISTER AT BRIGHTARROW WEBSITE!

     

    Emergency School Closing / eLearning

    District 115 follows a plan whenever there is consideration of a school or emergency closing, or holding a remote learning day due to inclement weather conditions. In the event of a weather emergency, District 115 has allocated two traditional days of non-instruction (what we have historically referred to as "snow days") for students and staff. Should conditions require school closure beyond those two days, the State of Illinois now allows for eLearning days instead of traditional snow days. 

    District 115’s first priority is the safety of our students, staff, and parents. The decision to close our schools, or adjust our start or dismissal times for an emergency-related situation is a complicated one and is based on several factors.

    Although the District uses the following sources to guide the decision, the Superintendent and District Administrators will make the final call to close the school.

    • NOAA National Weather Service (NWA) updates and Wind Chill report.
    • Local weather forecast services.
    • Local law enforcement and city agencies.
    • Reports from our bus company.
    • Reports from our Buildings/Grounds staff.
    • Conversations with neighboring school district administrators.

    Road conditions and the possibility of dangerously unsafe temperatures are the main factors that drive the decision. If we need to close or delay the start of school, parents will be notified using our BrightArrow Notification System and through postings on our website.

    For winter weather health and safety information, visit the CDC website.

     

    Are after-school and extracurricular activities canceled if school is canceled?

    Yes, in the event of a school closure, all school activities scheduled for that day are also canceled.


    Severe Cold Response Plans

     

    Wind Chill Warning

    Schools will be closed under the condition of a WIND CHILL WARNING. A wind chill warning indicates that life-threatening conditions and a risk to safety exists. Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property immediately. A wind chill warning is typically issued when the wind chill will be -30°F or colder OR the actual air temperature is -15°F or less.

     

    Severe Cold School Closure: Wind Chill Warning

    • Classes will be canceled and school closure protocols will be instituted.
    • All notification systems will be leveraged to send school cancellation communications to families.
    • Extracurricular activities will be suspended while the wind chill warning is in effect.

     


    Wind Chill Advisory

    A WIND CHILL ADVISORY is issued when conditions do not meet the wind chill warning criteria but still cause significant inconvenience. The weather during a wind chill advisory is not life threatening but presents conditions that may result in inconveniences or pose moderate risk to safety. A wind chill advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20°F to -29°F OR the actual air temperature is -5°F to -14°F.

     

    Severe Cold Action: Wind Chill Advisory

    • School will be open and student attendance is expected.
    • Extracurricular activities will be evaluated and may be suspended if conditions persist.
    • All outdoor student activities will be suspended.
    • Any evacuation drills scheduled will be cancelled and rescheduled to a more weather-appropriate day.


    The National Weather Service will be the meteorological source to determine and declare a wind chill warning or wind chill advisory.