Du Quoin Community Unit School District 300
Date: January 3, 2025
TO: Du Quoin CUSD 300 Families
From: Diana Rea, Acting Superintendent
Subject: 2024-25 Winter Weather Letter
With winter weather on the horizon, I wanted to take a moment to remind you of the District’s procedures regarding school closings. Please read and save this letter for future reference.
Weather-Related Decisions
The decision to close school due to inclement weather is made after careful review of information including consulting with the school bus company, District maintenance departments, and local weather service. Road conditions, sidewalk status, precipitation, and temperatures are considered when making a determination to close schools. In making a decision about weather-related schedule changes, our top priority is to ensure our students and staff are safe.
When we are able to, we will make the decision in advance (the prior evening, for example); however, with the uncertainty of weather, and the additional factors we must account for – building readiness, bussing, etc. – it is simply not always the right decision to make a call-in advance. In those situations decisions are typically made by 5:00 am in order for proper notification to the bus company and staff. You will typically receive notification by 5:30 am. Likewise, while the towns on our borders may sometimes make different decisions, we are making a decision based upon the information we have regarding the roads, the buildings, the buses specific to Du Quoin CUSD 300.
Communication
Du Quoin CUSD 300 utilizes several tools to communicate information regarding weather-related closings.
When we need to communicate a closure we utilize our communication platform method, which calls/texts ALL phone numbers listed in your child’s TeacherEase account. The messages come from Du Quoin Schools. Please make sure your contact numbers listed in TeacherEase are continually updated throughout the year.
SMS & Push Notifications - After the decision to close school is made, the district may send a text message and push notification to anyone who has downloaded Du Quoin Schools’ mobile app. This app helps students, parents, and the community keep up to date on school happenings, right from their phones. On the app, you can find dining menus, contact information for staff, and event information. You can download the app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play (search for Du Quoin CUSD 300, IL). After downloading the app, be sure to go into the settings menu to turn on push notifications.
Other - After the decision to close school is made, the district notifies local television stations, shares information on social media (Facebook page Du Quoin CUSD 300), and updates the district website (www.duquoinschools.org)
Snow Routes - When needed the District will use snow routes for bus transportation. Please see the graphic below for snow route information.
