Multiple school districts are announcing closures and delays for Monday, March 16, with severe storms and winter weather threatening the region. The disruptions span across Illinois, Georgia, and other parts of the country, leaving families scrambling to adjust their plans.
In Illinois, DeKalb School District 428 has canceled classes due to weather, while Sycamore School District 427 has closed its buildings and school. A blizzard warning remains in effect for parts of DeKalb County from 10 p.m. Sunday to 1 p.m. Monday. Multiple other Illinois districts are also shutting down as the winter system moves through.
In Georgia, the situation is more fluid. The DeKalb County School District and Gwinnett County Public Schools were monitoring the weather but had not announced delayed openings as of late Sunday, urging parents to prepare and monitor conditions. However, Rockdale County Public Schools announced a 2.5-hour delayed start for Monday due to forecasted severe winter weather. Severe thunderstorms and severe weather have led multiple school systems to adjust schedules, with some districts delaying the start by two hours while others are closing altogether.
Families should be prepared for variations in how schools respond—ranging from closures to delayed starts—depending on local conditions and planning. The key is staying alert: Parents are being advised to monitor weather conditions and ensure students are dressed appropriately for the morning, and to consider having children wait with an adult if severe weather is present. Most districts will announce final decisions before 6 a.m. Monday through text alerts, social media, and local news.
Check your district's website or app first thing in the morning—and maybe set an alarm just in case. This kind of weather system can change rapidly, so updates may come at the last minute. For those in metro Atlanta and north Georgia, keep an eye on announcements throughout the morning as conditions develop.