McHenry High School District 156
Nov. 13, 2025
Dear Warrior families,
With the weather turning colder, I’m sharing the general criteria that will be used to determine whether to cancel in-person instruction and close our school buildings due to inclement weather.
Please make sure your contact information is up to date in PowerSchool and that you have opted in to text messaging on your mobile phone. If you haven’t opted in yet, text Y or Yes to our short code 67587.
We will always do our best to keep our schools open. Sometimes it is an easy, clear-cut decision, but at other times the forecasts are more variable, making it less obvious. The decision to stay open is based on the following factors:
Visibility and street conditions in McHenry
Functioning of our buses in conjunction with our feeder districts
Operational status of our mechanical systems
Overall conditions of both the building parking lots and the grounds
Staffing
Excessive Snowfall
Excessive snowfall can make roads impassable and travel dangerous. When a significant snowfall occurs (or is anticipated with a high degree of certainty), we consider closing schools because travel can be hazardous. Whenever possible, we try to make this decision in advance (the night before, for example) so that families can make any necessary plans. However, this decision is often made early in the morning on the day of the snow event to see if streets or parking lots can be cleared overnight.
Extreme Cold
When the wind chill reaches approximately -30 degrees, we consider closing school, as frostbite can occur within 10-30 minutes of exposure, and outdoor conditions can be dangerous. Most often, when the wind chill drops below -30 degrees, a Wind Chill Warning is issued. A Wind Chill Warning (below -30 degrees) is the general benchmark we use to close schools due to extreme temperatures. When the wind chill is predicted to reach or exceed -25 to -29 degrees, a Wind Chill Advisory or Watch will be issued, highlighting the need for individuals to dress appropriately if they will be out in the elements for an extended period.
Emergency Closing
On days of inclement weather, we will make the decision to cancel school before 5:30 a.m. The District 156 website will be updated immediately with school closure information, and we will send an email and automated phone/text message to the numbers listed in PowerSchool. Please do not call the Transportation Department to find out whether McHenry schools are closed due to weather.
The District 156 website will continue to be updated throughout the day with any additional information. The building principal, in conjunction with staff members and coaches, will decide whether scheduled after-school events or athletic practices/competitions will take place later in the day or in the evening.
If we can determine inclement weather conditions with enough advance notice, we may opt to prepare our students and staff to use the Emergency Learning Plan to conduct school in a digital learning environment. We will communicate that with our community as soon as a decision is made.
Thank you for your time, attention, and continued support. Please review your household contact information in PowerSchool and update it if necessary.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ryan McTague
Superintendent of Schools
McHenry Community High School District 156
