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Palos 118 is adding a one-hour late start option to provide an additional solution for poor weather situations. The late start would delay all school and bus operations by one hour. Students would report to their bus stops one hour later and schools would begin one hour later. The late-start schedule would operate as follows:

No before-school programs at any schools or South zero hour will be held;
All schools and Kindergarten would begin one hour later:

East and West would begin at 10 a.m.

South would begin at 9:30 a.m.

Kindergarten at East and West would begin at 10:15 a.m.

All schools would end at their normal time;
After-school activities would occur unless otherwise indicated;
All bus route pickups would be one hour later in the A.M. with same P.M. drop-off times;
A.M. Kindergarten would end at its normal time;
P.M. Kindergarten would occur at normal start and stop times;
If a late start is declared, the status would not change to a full closing except in extreme conditions. (The intent is to make a commitment to late start and stay with it so everyone can plan accordingly).

The decision to institute a late start instead of closing school will be dependent on the forecast and conditions at decision making time. The late-start option is designed to give road snow removal operations additional time which would hopefully improve travel. Our most recent emergency day would have been a closed day. The forecast called for snow through the afternoon with an advisory to 6 p.m. Parents should always exercise personal judgment and place safety first when sending their child to school regardless of whether a normal or late start schedule occurs. Parents would be advised of a late start in the same manner as a closing of school. The late start option would permit the minimum attendance time for students and the school day would not have to be “made up” as a closed day.

Please call your school office if you have any questions.