Emergency School Closings
Emergency School Closings
The following agencies broadcast school closings in the event of severe ice or snow (or other emergencies) and when it is deemed advisable to close the schools:
Radio: WGN 720 AM | WBBM 780 AM
TV: CBS-2, CLTV, NBC-5, ABC-7
District 118 Social Media:
Online: Emergency Closing Center
Information Concerning Severe Cold
Extreme Cold Warning - Take Action!
Schools will be closed under the condition of an extreme cold warning. The National Weather Service issues an extreme cold warning when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is expected. If you are in an area with an extreme cold warning, avoid going outside during the coldest parts of the day. If you do go outside, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, and make sure at least one other person knows your whereabouts. Update them when you arrive safely at your destination.
Extreme Cold Watch - Be Prepared
Schools may be closed under the condition of an extreme cold watch. The National Weather Service issues an extreme cold watch when dangerously cold air, with or without wind, is possible. As with a warning, adjust your plans to avoid being outside during the coldest parts of the day. Be sure you dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors. If school is in session, school administrators may determine to cancel any off-campus activities (i.e. field trips), extracurricular activities and outside recess or physical education classes. They may also determine to allow students to keep outerwear with them while in the building.
Cold Weather Advisory - Be Aware
Schools will be in session under the condition of a cold weather advisory. The National Weather Service issues a cold weather advisory when seasonably cold values, but not extremely cold values are expected or occurring. Be sure you dress appropriately and cover exposed skin when venturing outdoors. School administrators may determine to cancel any off-campus activities (i.e. field trips), extracurricular activities and outside recess or physical education classes. They may also determine to allow students to keep outerwear with them while in the building.
For additional information on responding to severe cold temperatures, please visit the National Weather Service website.
Emergency Early Dismissal Procedures Due to Severe Winter Weather
Dear Parents:
In the event of severe winter weather occurring during the school day, it may be necessary to dismiss the students enrolled at Wauconda Middle School, Matthews Middle School, and Wauconda High School earlier than usual.
The reason this action would be taken is to allow the buses an opportunity to drop off these older students in order to return to take the younger elementary students at Wauconda Grade School, Cotton Creek School, and Robert Crown School home according to their regular dismissal time.
If this early dismissal was not done, we would run the risk of buses being unable to return the Wauconda Grade School, Robert Crown and Cotton Creek students to their homes, or very late drop off for these same students. In addition, we hope to avoid buses driving in a snowstorm when it is dark.
Parents of students in grades six through twelve need to be aware of the possibility that this situation could occur due to inclement winter weather. If it does, we would enact the school district's mass notification system in an attempt to notify you that your sixth through twelfth grade student was coming home early. As a result, we ask that you make appropriate arrangements with your sixth through twelfth grade student in order for them to gain access to shelter after being dismissed early due to weather conditions. This type of situation does not occur often, but if it does we wanted you to be informed of our actions so that you and your students can be prepared.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Wilm
Superintendent of Schools