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Was Elmhurst Right Not to Close Schools? Readers’ Diverse Opinions

Patch reached out to our readers to see what they thought about the decision to keep public schools open in Elmhurst.

Public schools in Elmhurst were all open on Tuesday despite the winter storm, though most cancelled after-school activities. 

Many private schools in the area—who often bring students from further away—were closed, like Immanuel Elmhurst and Immaculate Conception. 

Patch reached out to our readers on Facebook to find out whether or not they thought keeping schools open was a good idea.

Yes, it was good to keep schools open:

“Totally right call... we had a dusting this morning... kids went to school… learned and now they can play in it because after school activities were canceled. Good job District 205 for not falling for the hype.”
– Kendra Scudder Thompson, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“I'm fine with District 205's call.”
– Paula Fabbri-Morrow, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“I think it was the right call, the roads are not all that bad. Just remember folks, school now or during the summer. Still plenty of play time after school!”
– Pat Meyers Abinion, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“I am glad they did not [cancel] because it is not that bad. We live in the Midwest for God’s sake. My kids were late by six minutes on the bus.”
– Anne Pavlin Kimball, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“My kids went to school. One took ISATS; both got home unscathed and on time. Fine by me not to add a day at the end of the year.”
– Karyn Smith Wilson, Elmhurst Patch Facebook. 

No, schools should have closed.

“They should have called the day... I kept mine home.”
- Rachel Abata, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“I'm just hoping the bus makes it home okay. I don't think it was smart on their part. They knew the bulk of the snow was coming before 5pm. It's a mess out there!”
– Stacy O’Hair Wrasse, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

“I don't think it was very smart... they definitely should have cancelled public schools. Like Stacy said, they knew when the bulk of the snow would hit. They knew the drive home from school would be awful. Now all of us parents are going to be worrying about our children getting home okay on the bus.”
– Lexi Gunther, Elmhurst Patch Facebook. 

Other observations. 

“For private schools who bus their students 45 min. away from Elmhurst, it was the right call to cancel today.”
– Kathryn Yarema Johnson, Elmhurst Patch Facebook. 

“They also said it was gonna start at 3am. How many times are they completely wrong? So who really knows. I’m fine with Dist 205's call and so is my 8th grader. It told her there was no snow when she woke up and she said ‘oh cool!’ ISAT week for one and 8th graders don’t wanna push back graduation!”
– Julie Gatesman, Elmhurst Patch Facebook.

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JL March 6, 2013 at 03:14 pm
We live in the Chicago area people. It was not a blizzard. Just some snow. Education and work are a priority in life and I am glad that Elmhurst schools have that same philosophy. Snow can be a little challenging, but I don't feel that yesterday's weather was unsafe for students to get to school or home from school. For those people who did not have school, how many of them still got in their cars and took their kids somewhere like the library, a sledding hill, etc.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Jamie June 18, 2013 at 09:08 pm
There have been some negativity lately surrounding C-F, but it is really only community involvmentRead More like the one in this story that will make the school even better.
Jim Court June 17, 2013 at 11:56 am
Claire, You present a very well thought out understanding of TIFs and your logic is impeccable.
Patty Pistone Fritsch June 17, 2013 at 02:23 pm
Can we get the name of the shelter, we work with a shelter in Oak Park, that may be able to save aRead More few of these little pups before its too late for them!
Geneva Vikings June 17, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Patty...it's Casey's Safe Haven. Reach us atcaseysdogs@yahoo.com. Any help would be great!
People Amaze Me June 14, 2013 at 08:41 am
I agree with you but I don't know if we as just citizen's can do anything to stop that practice. IRead More wish that each cyclist had to have a license, and that it was enforced by laws and police, on the bike so that people could report occurrences and have the person receive a ticket just like a person driving an auto. That would make sense.
Jennifer MacKenzie June 14, 2013 at 08:43 am
A couple of years ago, Villa Park installed "State Law- must stop for pedestrians" signsRead More on the roadways where the Great Western and Prairie Paths cross. I saw a big increase in path users barreling across the streets with no regard for the stop signs on the path.
People Amaze Me June 15, 2013 at 04:11 pm
I was really hoping that the Elmhurst Police would sound in on this info-I do understand kids willRead More be kids, but if one of them is hurt, that adult driver will need to live with that for the rest of their life-so let's come up with a solution for both bicyclist and cars to be in harmony. I really think that a step up in enforcement in the bicycle laws would help-just like the drunk driving laws-believe me the bicycle laws are just as important.