Limestone Community,
As winter approaches, I want to take a moment to outline our approach to managing potential school closures due to inclement weather or emergencies. Our priority, as always, is the safety of all students and staff. Decisions regarding emergency school closures will be made thoughtfully and in coordination with our transportation provider, area superintendents, local and national weather services, and the local highway department. Additionally, I personally drive roads throughout our district to assess their safety before making a decision.
Please know that decisions to close school are never taken lightly. For many of our students, our school is more than a place for education—it is a lifeline that provides meals, a safe space, and access to many vital resources and services. These considerations weigh heavily on every decision to close our doors.
Weather conditions and events are highly unpredictable. We generally do not cancel school or dismiss early solely based on a weather forecast. For school to be canceled or an early dismissal to occur, weather conditions must be actively occurring and deteriorating to the point of jeopardizing the safety of our students and staff. A decision to cancel school may occur between 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. the night before school. However, in most instances, we will make our decision no later than 5:45 a.m. the next day. In an extreme emergency, we may be forced to announce early dismissal during the school day.
In recent years, some local school districts have utilized “E-Learning days”, as an alternative to traditional snow days. LCHS has an approved E-Learning Plan through the Regional Office of Education. In the near future, if school closure is warranted by weather or other emergency, we may utilize an E-Learning Day in an effort to test our effectiveness to provide education virtually. If such a day is planned, we will provide ample notice and clear instructions to families.
When a closure is necessary, the district currently has five emergency days built into the academic calendar in accordance with the Illinois State Board of Education. These days are used to make up instructional time lost due to weather-related closures. I believe strongly in the importance of in-person instruction, as nothing fully replaces the rich, interactive environment of the classroom. The structure, collaboration, and immediacy of face-to-face teaching contribute significantly to student learning. For this reason, we prioritize in-person instruction whenever safely possible and in making up emergency days.
Thank you for your support as we navigate the challenges that winter weather can bring. By working together and prioritizing safety and education, we can ensure that every student continues to thrive at Limestone.
Keith Brown, Superintendent
Limestone Community High School
Snow Day / Emergency Day Information Letter (11/20/2024)