Emergency Closures

• In the event of a weather-related school closing or other emergency, parents can expect to receive an automated phone call, e-mail, and a text from District 30's Emergency Notification System. (This system was tested on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at approximately 1:00 p.m. If there are changes to your email address or phone number, please visit the Forms section of the Parent Portal and choose the option that says “Update Contact Information for District Communications.")

• School closure decisions will typically be made before 6:00 a.m. the day of closure. This allows weather conditions to be monitored overnight to avoid unnecessary closures.

• Emergency and closing information is also available at:
  • District Website – district30.org
  • Building Social Media Accounts - Facebook; Instagram
  • District Mass Notification System
  • WGN’s Emergency Closings website
  • Mass media including major radio and TV sources

• On the first day our buildings are closed due to a weather emergency - students will NOT attend classes. Only staff will participate in a virtual professional development day. 

• On the second date of a weather emergency - staff and students will most likely participate in an eLearning Day, if if advanced notice of a school building closure occurs. (eLearning will occur even if emergency days are not contiguous and the second school closure occurs weeks after the first.)

• eLearning would then continue for any subsequent weather emergencies that close our buildings.

Parents and students should assume that classes are in session at the standard time unless notified.

The Superintendent of Schools determines when and if conditions at one or more schools warrant canceling or closing school buildings. Any decision for a weather-related closure is made in collaboration with District Administration, other area superintendents, local municipalities, the district's bus provider and, if necessary, the Illinois Department of Transportation.

District 30 works collaboratively with Northfield Township Districts 27, 28, 31, 34, 225, and TrueNorth on school closings and will also keep them informed on any late arrival/early dismissal actions. Because we have many families whose students are enrolled within District 225 and District 30, we seek to be consistent to create the least amount of disruption to our families. This may not always occur, but please be assured it is a priority. 

District 30 uses the National Weather Service (NWS at weather.gov) will be the primary meteorological source to determine and declare weather conditions, such as snow forecasts, cold weather advisories, or extreme cold watches and warnings.

Weather permitting, students have outside recess/recreation at lunch time. Several school-sponsored sports, special events and PTO events are also held outdoors throughout the year. 

Decisions to have outdoor recess, sports or other special events during hot and cold weather depend upon the temperature and - in cold weather - the wind chill factor. Click here to explore the chart schools use to determine temperature safety.

Additionally, the Illinois Elementary School Association (IESA) shares the following heat and hydration-related links to be reviewed by coaches and administrators in for the fall sports seasons. While the IESA does not have a specific policy regarding practice during extreme heat conditions, the organization does strongly encourage coaches to use good judgment when scheduling and conducting practices and consult this Heat Index Chart. When hosting games the IESA recommends that host school provide water for both teams and officials. If water cannot be provided it is helpful to notify both visiting teams and officials to bring their own.

The IESA also offers these heat-related resources. 

Early dismissals may also be utilized by our schools if weather conditions worsen during the day. If waiting until the end of the day to dismiss students makes it significantly less safe for our students and families, then early dismissal will be implemented. Families will be notified by mass notification, the District 30 website and social media.

In instances when the temperature is severe, but weather conditions are normal, the district may choose to implement our Severe Cold Plan. We encourage families to establish contingency plans for possible closures throughout the school year regardless of the season. View the National Weather Service extreme cold renaming document.

Extreme Cold Warning - School Buildings Will Be CLOSED

Definition: An extreme cold warning indicates that life-threatening conditions and a risk to safety exist.  Measures should be taken to safeguard life and property immediately. An extreme cold warning is typically issued when the apparent temperature is  -30°F or colder AND the wind speed is 10 mph or greater, OR the actual temperature is -15° F or colder.

District Action:

• In-person classes will be canceled, and school closure protocols will be instituted.

• All notification systems will be leveraged to send school cancellation communications to families.

• After-school activities will be canceled.

Cold Weather Advisory - Schools Will Be OPEN

Definition: A cold weather advisory is issued when conditions do not meet the extreme cold watch or warning criteria but still cause significant inconvenience. The weather during a cold weather advisory is not life-threatening but presents conditions that may result in inconvenience or pose a moderate risk to safety. A cold weather advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20 to -29°F AND wind speed is 10 mph or greater, OR the actual temperature is -5°F to -14°F.

District Action:

• Schools will be open for in-person learning, and student attendance is expected.

• Fire and Police will be notified before the start of the school day of the Severe Cold Action Day designation.

• In the case of a fire alarm, school administrators will be given authority to institute protocols to return students to a safe interior location quickly.
• After school activities will be evaluated and may be suspended if conditions persist.
• All field trips during the school day will be suspended.
• All outside student activities will be suspended.

In preparation for another winter in Chicago, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate weather and other challenges that may develop. Again, we emphasize that student and staff safety remains our highest priority, and we will hold school when the learning environment is safe and productive.

School may be canceled for all District 30 school facilities, or for an individual building, as necessary. General guidelines for a closed school include:

• All after-school activities and field trips will be canceled unless specifically announced by the school principal.
• All student events will be canceled unless specifically announced by the school principal.
• Athletic events and practices will be canceled unless specifically announced by the school principal.
• PTO events that have event contracts to use district facilities will be canceled unless announced by the school principal.

The District recognizes that conditions may vary for each family. If our schools are open and you feel that it is unsafe to send your child(ren) to school, simply inform your school of the absence through PowerSchool.  Your student(s) will be given an excused absence.