Were Naperville/Lisle Right to Close Schools? Most Readers Agree

Public schools in Naperville and Lisle were closed on Tuesday due to the snow, although many towns to the east like Glen Ellyn and Downers Grove kept public schools open or had early dismissals.

Many private schools in the area—who often bring students from further away—were also closed, like Calvary Christian, All Saints Catholic Academy and Benet Academy.

Patch reached out to our readers on Facebook to find out whether or not they thought closing the public schools was a good idea:

Yes, it was good to close the schools:

“The driving conditions are pretty poor and it is accumulating fast. After review, I would say the call is confirmed.”
– Philippe Lambert, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“ISATs were supposed to start today. I thought it was the right call.”
– Patty Andrick, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“Dan Bridges made the right call to protect our children.”
Vikki Bradley Stella, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“I think we can handle one snow day if they have to add one. It may not look bad now, but the majority of the snow is supposed to come mid-day right when school would be getting out and buses would be transporting students. I say they made the right call.”
– Renee Griffin Hacker, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“I don't let my teen driver drive to school when there is this much snow, but many teens do drive, so safety had to be first for not only the bus students and parents, but student drivers as well.”
– Ann Stanley Dobbels, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“Yes it is the right call - even if the snow doesn't get as bad as they predicted seeing the smiles on my kids faces makes it right! Snow days are magical...”
– Mary Reid-Vizintos, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“I agree with the call because of safety with the transportation of our children. And the sounds of "YES!!" from them when we received the call was priceless!”
– Donna Mitchel, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“Think of the parents that have to pick up their kids, I have one at Jefferson and one at North. Last week was stressful as I could not see the road (plow trucks always miss our street) out to Mill St then dealt with the congestion and panic that set in with all the cars on the road. Thankfully we all got home safe & sound.”
– Melinda Aquino, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“I think they did the right thing. The kids who walk would have had no trouble, but my kids ride the bus. I would rather been in school an extra day then worry about them coming home or when they would get home. One year they were supposed to be home by 3:50 and did not get home till 4:45.”
– Dana Jacobson, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“If you don't have kids then your opinion really doesn't count. We can all agree that storms can be very unpredictable and in that chance I would rather have my kids home safe with me.”
– Boerema Gene, Naperville Patch Facebook.

No, schools should have stayed open:

“Better safe than sorry, but I wish we could have gotten a half day in, then maybe we wouldn't have to make up in June?”
– Deborah Ryerson-James, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“They called it too soon. This amount of snow is not snow day-worthy!”
– Sue Byron Henderson, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“No.”
– Jennifer Schemmel, Dave Vincze, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“Called it too soon.”
– Sarah Behling Williams, Naperville Patch Facebook.

Other observations: 

 “Can you imagine how distracted the kids would be knowing that they MIGHT get out early? The ISAT scores would have been trash anyway. It's one day. One. Day. Enjoy the extra time with your child!”
– Joyce Counihan, Naperville Patch Facebook.

“Our district - 365u - got the call at 11:30 last night. Never that late before, but appreciated not having to set the alarm clock!”
– Terri Cirar, Naperville Patch Facebook.

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