In order to help parents better prepare for the severe cold weather and snow we often get during winters in our community, please review the District 54 Severe Weather Response Plan.
Extreme Cold Warning
An extreme cold warning indicates that life-threatening conditions and a risk to safety exist. An extreme cold warning is typically issued when the wind chill will be -30°F or colder or the air temperature is -15°F.
- All classes and extracurricular activities will be canceled. For the 2025-26 school year, the first two emergency days are traditional school closures. If District 54 has to cancel a third day, we will implement our e-learning plan and you will receive a communication explaining how to access e-learning. Click here to read more about the e-learning plan.
- The announcement will be made by 6:30 a.m. at the latest. District 54 often waits until the morning to cancel school, because the weather in the Chicagoland area is constantly changing and our preference would be to have children in school.
- All notification systems will be leveraged to communicate school cancellations to families including emails, phone calls, text messaging and District 54 websites and social media.
Cold Weather Advisory
A cold weather advisory is issued when conditions do not meet the extreme cold 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 inconveniences or pose moderate risk to safety. A cold weather advisory is typically issued when the wind chill is -20°F or colder or the air temperature is -5 to -14°F.
- Schools will be open; however, all outside activities will be suspended, including recess and outdoor physical education.
- Extracurricular activities may be suspended if conditions persist. Updates will be posted on school websites and families will be notified if after-school activities are canceled.
- All field trips will be cancelled.
NOTE: The National Weather Service (NWS) will be the meteorological source District 54 uses to determine and declare an extreme cold warning or cold weather advisory.
Please take the time to consider what kind of alternative child care arrangements need to be made for your children should our schools be closed for inclement weather or other related emergencies. Though District 54 makes every effort to keep our schools open, circumstances beyond our control (such as Chicagoland winters) sometimes make it unsafe for our students or staff to get to school safely. In addition, please be sure to discuss these arrangements with your children so that they are aware of your plan.
Most importantly, remember that you, the parent or guardian, ultimately make the decision whether to send your child to school. If you decide to keep your child home on a day when the weather is extremely inclement, please call your child’s school to let them know. The absence will be considered excused and your child will be given the opportunity to make up missed work.
If District 54 were to cancel school, we will notify families and staff using a variety of communication methods. For more information on that, visit our School Cancellations website.
