Closings & Emergencies

PLEASE NOTE: During 2022-23 we will be able to call remote learning days instead of having to call a snow day. This is important when we look at our calendar ending date and the timeline for the addition and remodeling projects at our elementary schools. We will operate our regular school days over Google Meets if we need to call a snow day.

When weather conditions become too severe for in-person instruction, remote learning days will be used in lieu of canceling school.

With this in mind, District 401 families are advised to make it a habit for their students to bring their Chromebooks home every night.

In the event of a remote learning day due to severe weather or other emergency, we will post notifications to students, parents, employees and community via multiple media sources.

Email Notifications

If a decision is made to have a remote learning day, District 401 will send an email notification to all families and staff.

Parents, please be sure your email addresses are up to date, and inform the appropriate office staff of any changes throughout the year.

Automated Phone Announcements

When possible, a recorded announcement is sent out to all parents and staff through District 401's automated phone system. Calls will show a caller ID from one of the following sources:

SOURCE

CALLER ID

PHONE NUMBER

District Office

EPCUSD401

708-716-8044

John Mills Elementary | PK-5

MILLS ELEM 401

708-716-8056

Elmwood Elementary | K-5

EW ELEM 401

708-716-8051

Elm Middle | 6-8

ELM MS 401

708-716-8046

Elmwood Park High | 9-12

EPHS 401

708-716-8045

The message may start with a short delay and then continue with an important recorded message from a school administrator.

Parents, please be sure your phone numbers are up to date, and inform the appropriate office staff of any changes throughout the year.

District, School and Emergency Websites

Look for notifications on the District 401 website, on individual school websites and on the Emergency Closing Center website.

When District 401 as a whole calls a remote learning day because of severe weather or any other emergency, the District site will feature an emergency banner at the top of the homepage, as well as at the top of the homepage of each school website.

If a specific school calls a remote learning day because of circumstances unique to that school, the websites of both that school and the District will feature an emergency banner at the top of their homepages announcing the closing.

Television and Radio

School status may also be reported to local television stations and radio stations.

  • TV: Watch Chicago TV channels 2 (CBS), 5 (NBC), 7 (ABC), 9 (WGN) or 32 (Fox).
  • RADIO: Listen to AM news radio stations 720 (WGN) or 780 (WBBM).