Late Starts Information for Parents
As we embark on the new calendar year we continue to experience the joys and
challenges of winter. Heavy snowfall, icy roads and frigid temperatures have
characterized our winter thus far and promise to be with us for the next couple of months.
As you know, with these conditions come the possibility of school closings and
changes in our school calendar. Changes in our school calendar can impact summer
plans for families, so I want to share with you our school closure decision-making process, as well as introduce a new late start procedure.
The decision to close school is done in consultation with local personnel and the other New Trier Township Superintendents. The decision is generally made no later than 5:30 a.m. so that all staff and families have adequate time to make any necessary changes to their daily schedules.
The highest priority in considering school closure is student safety. Some of the factors that influence our decision-making include: timing and duration of the storm, temperatures, visibility, facility concerns, and road conditions both locally and in the larger metro area. Our teachers are traveling from all directions and, for some, long distances, and it is essential that they are able to arrive to school on time to greet children in their classrooms.
Only under the most hazardous circumstances will we close school. We strive to keep our students in school and follow our school calendar. In order to do so, we all need to work together, taking extra caution in traveling to and from school and ensuring that our students are dressed warmly. At the same time, we recognize that individual families may have varying degrees of comfort regarding the decision to keep schools open. Under these circumstances, parents should always feel empowered to do what they believe is best for their child. In the occasional winter storm, the weather and road conditions are expected to greatly improve by mid-morning. Under these circumstances we would prefer not to close school, but to open late instead. A late start would allow for additional time for our staff and students to get to school.
Please note the following procedures for a 2-hour late start in The Winnetka
Public Schools:
Parents/students will be notified through our emergency message system of a late
start. Information will also be included on our website, www.winnetka36.org.
Students should plan to arrive at school 2 hours later than they regularly do.
For example, if a student typically arrives at school at 8:20 a.m., he/she should plan to arrive at 10:20 a.m. If a student takes the bus and is picked up at 8:05 a.m., he/she should plan to be picked up at 10:05 a.m.
Late School Start Times
Morning Kindergarten and any before school programs (i.e., band) would be
cancelled for the day.
Any special program changes or a change in the school lunch schedule will be communicated to parents from the principal.
Please contact your building principal if you have questions. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
challenges of winter. Heavy snowfall, icy roads and frigid temperatures have
characterized our winter thus far and promise to be with us for the next couple of months.
As you know, with these conditions come the possibility of school closings and
changes in our school calendar. Changes in our school calendar can impact summer
plans for families, so I want to share with you our school closure decision-making process, as well as introduce a new late start procedure.
The decision to close school is done in consultation with local personnel and the other New Trier Township Superintendents. The decision is generally made no later than 5:30 a.m. so that all staff and families have adequate time to make any necessary changes to their daily schedules.
The highest priority in considering school closure is student safety. Some of the factors that influence our decision-making include: timing and duration of the storm, temperatures, visibility, facility concerns, and road conditions both locally and in the larger metro area. Our teachers are traveling from all directions and, for some, long distances, and it is essential that they are able to arrive to school on time to greet children in their classrooms.
Only under the most hazardous circumstances will we close school. We strive to keep our students in school and follow our school calendar. In order to do so, we all need to work together, taking extra caution in traveling to and from school and ensuring that our students are dressed warmly. At the same time, we recognize that individual families may have varying degrees of comfort regarding the decision to keep schools open. Under these circumstances, parents should always feel empowered to do what they believe is best for their child. In the occasional winter storm, the weather and road conditions are expected to greatly improve by mid-morning. Under these circumstances we would prefer not to close school, but to open late instead. A late start would allow for additional time for our staff and students to get to school.
Please note the following procedures for a 2-hour late start in The Winnetka
Public Schools:
Parents/students will be notified through our emergency message system of a late
start. Information will also be included on our website, www.winnetka36.org.
Students should plan to arrive at school 2 hours later than they regularly do.
For example, if a student typically arrives at school at 8:20 a.m., he/she should plan to arrive at 10:20 a.m. If a student takes the bus and is picked up at 8:05 a.m., he/she should plan to be picked up at 10:05 a.m.
Late School Start Times
- The Skokie School - 10:25 a.m.
- Carleton Washburne School - 10:30 a.m.
- Hubbard Woods School - 10:40 a.m.
- Crow Island School - 10:40 a.m.
- Greeley School - 10:40 a.m.
Morning Kindergarten and any before school programs (i.e., band) would be
cancelled for the day.
Any special program changes or a change in the school lunch schedule will be communicated to parents from the principal.
Please contact your building principal if you have questions. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.
