Was Lemont Right to Close Schools? Readers’ Diverse Opinions

Public schools in Lemont were closed on Tuesday due to the snow, although many nearby towns' public schools (Darien, Woodridge, Downers Grove, Hinsdale) stayed open.

Many private schools in the area—who often bring students from further away—were also closed, like Everest Academy and Mount Assisi.

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 close the schools:

“I was happy that it was done...while I believe our street crews are doing the best they can, who can keep up with this? Better safe than sorry… isn't that why they build snow days in?”
– Heather Bury, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“Yes, I do not want my kids on buses this afternoon.”
– Patie Lenc Prochaska, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“Standardized testing is about kids who can test well compare to those you can't. Daughter 1 tests off the charts ever since she was little, but is lazy; daughter 2, stresses over tests, and does not do well, yet, has maintained, at least a 3.5 all through high school and well into college. So sorry, Safety first.”
– Sharon Kennedy, Lemont Patch Facebook.

No, schools should have stayed open:

“No. When I was in school 20+ years ago, school never closed. And we wonder why kids are the way they are today.”
- Juli Roth, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“No! Weak choice by the new superintendent, I can understand an early dismissal but not a full cancellation. I hope it doesn't mess up my graduation date!”
– Alyssa Fitzgerald, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“There was no reason to close schools today.”
– Sharon Kennedy, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“Closing schools before there is even any snowfall is crazy!”
– Lynda Miller Miller, Lemont Patch Facebook.

Other observations:

“If people were well informed—state testing starts today and on account of the weather many kids would have missed today—ultimately screwing up the testing schedule.”
– Nancy Novak, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“Testing schedule over safety of children and adults? Hmm, standardized testing has gone way too far once we put testing ahead of safety. No disrespect to the person posting their concern. Testing is a snapshot of a child's true abilities...that snapshot can wait. Environmental variables play a role in testing.”
– Kim Gedminas Moriarty, Lemont Patch Facebook.

“Makes no differance to me, as long as the kids are safe.”
– Diane Deckman Sobczak, Lemont Patch Facebook.

Join the conversation! Follow us on Lemont Patch Facebook