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

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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