SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS

There are occasions when District 54 may have to close one or all of its schools. When that happens we have many ways we will use to communicate with you.

Email:  Any parent or guardian who has provided us with an email address will be notified by email.

AlertNow: District 54 contracts with the AlertNow rapid communication system. In an emergency situation, all the phone numbers in a child's record will be called (home, work, cellular and emergency contacts). If, however, District 54 was only making an announcement, such as a snow day, we would call only your primary number. Please remember to keep your contact information updated.

Websites: We will post information on District 54 home page, as well as the following web sites www.cancellations.com and www.emergencyclosings.com . Both of these services also offer you the option of signing up for an e-mail alert program for specific schools or districts.

Media:  Information regarding emergency school closings is also communicated to the following major Chicago radio and television stations.

AM radio stations: WGN (720) and WBBM (780)

Television stations: CBS – Channel 2, NBC – Channel 5, ABC – Channel 7, WGN – Channel 9, FOX – Channel 32 and CLTV.

You can also call the Emergency Closing Center Hotline. Parental permission is required and a touch-tone phone is needed. Dial (847) 238-1234, enter (847) 357-5000 and you will be told if our district has made the decision to close schools.

The decision to close school is made for one day at a time. Check each day whether school will be open. The safety of the children is the responsibility of both the parents and school personnel, but the decision to send a child to school is ultimately made by parents and guardians.

If school is to be closed in the middle of the day because of severe weather or another emergency, every attempt will be made to notify you. For this reason it is important that we have your current home and work phone numbers. If we cannot reach you, we will attempt to contact the people you listed on the emergency card we have on file for your children. Please discuss this possibility with your children so they know where they are to go if you are not home.