Emergency School Closure and Alert Information

As part of the school calendar, the district is required to include five emergency days to account for closures due to emergencies or inclement weather. Below is an overview of how Darien 61 will manage school closures.

District Communication and Alert Process: 

The District strives to notify families of a school closure as soon as possible. If a decision can be made the day before a closure, the communication will be sent no later than 9:30 p.m. In the event of a day-of closure, a communication will ideally be sent between 5:30 a.m and 6:30 a.m.

The District has the ability to send automated calls and emails utilizing Parent Square. Communication will be sent to the contact information on file in Skyward for families and staff via email and phone.

Phone calls will be made to families and staff only in the event that schools are closed. Phone calls will not be made when a decision is still in progress or the decision has been made that school will be open.

The Following describes the process and information to be included with the communications:

• The Superintendent will send a message through our ParentSquare system.  All families who have provided us with information at registration are part of the system for phone and email notification.  Please notify your child's school if your contact information changes or log in to Skyward and update your information.
• Posting of closure will be on the website as a Pop-Up Alert notification.  Visitors to the Website will see a Pop-Up Alert notifying them of the emergency closure.  Once this alert is closed, a small bell will be present on the left side of your window.  Clicking this icon will open up the alert if you need to view it again (see images to the right).
• The announcement will also indicate that school will be closed and students should engage in E-Learning activities related to their specific grade, or if we will just have a Snow Day when appropriate.

School Closing Due to Inclement Weather 

The district’s assessment of weather conditions will begin the day before, if possible, with student and staff safety as the number one priority.

The variables the District considers include the following:

• Local weather forecasts

• Temperature and Wind Chill-  There are times when schools may need to be closed due to dangerously cold temperatures. In these situations, wind chill is also taken into account, as well as the extent to which the temperatures are sustained throughout the school day. Darien 61 has collaborated with surrounding school districts to develop consistent standards. We will likely close school in dangerously cold conditions when an Extreme Cold Warning is issued by the National Weather Service during the times students are traveling to or from school. An extreme cold  warning is typically issued when the apparent temperatures are around -30 Fahrenheit or colder.

• Road conditions

• If buses are operating, the availability of drivers, and the ability of buses to navigate the roads safely.

• If staff can arrive at school safely

• If schools are functioning properly (power, furnace, heat, water, phone)

• Communication/collaboration with D86 and D99 feeder schools

What to Expect When Schools Are Closed Due to Inclement Weather

The district gathered feedback from families and staff on the use of E-Learning Days versus Snow Days. The responses indicated that our community values both options. Based on this input, the district will use a combination of E-Learning Days and Snow Days when schools are closed.

E-Learning Days: For the first 3 days of closures, and when there is adequate time to inform families and staff, we will implement E-Learning Days. 

Snow Days: After 3 E-Learning Days, or if there is not adequate time to inform families and staff of the closure, the district will look to use Snow Days . 

E-Learning vs Snow Days

What is an E-Learning Day?- Even though students and staff may not be at school, learning will still take place using the district’s E-Learning Day Schedule.  The day consists of asynchronous work for students that will be done at home with guidance from your child’s teacher.  
Using the E-Learning during these days allows the district to count that day as an attendance day and not have to make up one of the emergency days at the end of the school year.  

What is a Snow Day?- Just as it sounds! A Snow Day is a day in which school is closed and everyone stays home safe.  Since no type of learning occurs during a snow day, these days must be made up and added to the school calendar.

More information on E-Learning days can be found HERE. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

How will we know that school is closed and what type of day we will be used (E-Learning or Snow Day)?  The district will follow the Emergency School Closure Communication and Alert process.  The announcement will indicate that school will be closed and, when appropriate, if students should engage in E-Learning activities related to their specific grade, or if we will just have a Snow Day.

Would the district ever use more than 3 E-Learning Days?

Yes. While the plan is to use Snow Days after 3 E-Learning Days, there may be situations where more E-Learning Days are suitable. Illinois State Law allows up to 5 E-Learning Days to be used for school closings.

Would the district ever use Snow Days instead of E-Learning Days during the first 3 days of closure?

Yes. If circumstances make it difficult to prepare for E-Learning (e.g., unexpected closures, insufficient time for staff to plan, or to communicate with families), a Snow Day will be called.

What about Recess? How do the schools determine if it is safe for students to be outside for recess?

Recess is an integral part of the school day, and schools prioritize students being outdoors when weather permits, even during the cold months. To determine the safety of outdoor play, schools consider obvious weather limitations (such as rain, storms, or lightning) and temperature, including wind chill and heat index. 

Our schools use the "Child Care Weather Watch" guidance provided by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to determine the specific thresholds for when it is too cold or too hot for students to safely be outside. 

Parents are encouraged to send their child to school with appropriate clothing to be prepared for outdoor recess each day.

We appreciate your understanding as we prioritize both safety and continuity of learning during these closures.
 

School Contact Information

Mark DeLay School (Grades K-2):  phone:630-852-0200  Click here for Staff Directory
Lace School (Grades 3-5):  phone: 630-968-2589  Click here for Staff Directory
Eisenhower Junior High School:  phone: 630-964-5200 Click here for Staff Directory