Dear Lockport Township High School District 205 Parents and Guardians,
Out of an abundance of caution and after careful consideration, in coordination with our feeder school districts, Lockport Township High School District 205 will implement an e-Learning Day on Friday, January 23. Today, teachers have been reminding students to bring their Chromebooks and chargers home as well as providing instructions for how to log into Google Meet for online instruction tomorrow. On Friday, January 23, classes will begin at 9:45 a.m., and students will follow the Wednesday schedule. Teachers will provide students with information on how to attend class virtually.
At this time, all athletic and activities, including the Veterans Night Celebration, are scheduled to proceed as planned on Friday, January 23. Any additional decisions or changes in events for Friday or Saturday will be announced via the coaches and activities sponsors through their channels of communication. For additional information, please visit the Emergency/Weather Information & Guidelines on the LTHS website.
I would like to take a moment to share the factors that guided this decision.
Since my last communication to LTHS families, the National Weather Service has upgraded the Extreme Cold Watch to an Extreme Cold Warning for late Thursday night into Friday morning, with the dangerously cold wind chills expected between 3:00 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Friday.
How We Make Weather-Related Decisions
Our process includes careful collaboration and multiple safety considerations, including:
Coordination with our feeder elementary school districts
Consultation with area superintendents
Use of the Emergency/Weather Guidelines published on our website
Reliance on temperature and wind chill data from the National Weather Service – Chicago
Assessment of the readiness of our transportation fleet
Evaluation of heating systems at both Central and East Campuses
Consideration of state attendance requirements that define a full instructional day
Cold Weather Metrics We Use
Below are the general thresholds that guide our decisions:
Wind Chill Warning
-30°F or colder
Likely Action: e-Learning
Why: Frostbite can occur on exposed skin within 10–30 minutes
Air Temperature (Standing Temperature)
-15°F or colder
Likely Action: Possible e-Learning
Why: Extreme cold can impact bus operations and building heating systems
Wind Chill Advisory
-20°F to -25°F
Likely Action: e-Learning
Additional Consideration: If air temperatures reach negative double digits (-10°F or colder) and are expected to persist, the District strongly considers e-Learning due to the increased risk of exposure for students waiting at bus stops and students who walk to school.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our students and staff while continuing to provide high-quality instruction.
All the best,
Robert McBride, Ed.D
Superintendent, Lockport Township High School District 205