The decision to close schools was not based on any notification from law enforcement that an announcement is imminent, Anderson went on to say. Once the decision becomes public, many are bracing for the possibility of volatile protests, which have been largely peaceful since Wilson fatally shot Michael Brown three months ago. Anderson wanted to give parents as much time as possible to figure out child-care arrangements for next week.

School district representatives from several north St. Louis County districts say they've been requested by law enforcement to close for two days immediately after the announcement to keep buses and excess traffic off streets in the event of unrest.

Children in Jennings don't have bus service. Most of them walk, making Anderson even more concerned for their safety.

On Thursday, Anderson said a group of adults claiming to be from Chicago were passing out literature to students as they walked home along Cozens Avenue. The street has an elementary school, the junior high and high school.

The fliers were "encouraging students to be disruptive and encouraging them to think of police as pigs," Anderson said. "That was disturbing."

Anderson notified other school districts in north St. Louis County about the fliers. A scanned copy urges people "to pour into the streets immediately" after the announcement comes. It also says "Students should walk out of school when they hear another murdering pig has gone free."

Jennings is the first of what could be several school districts to cancel school, giving students and staff a week-long Thanksgiving break. Children who live in Ferguson and attend public school go to one of four districts -- Jennings, Hazelwood, Riverview Gardens, or Ferguson-Florissant.

"At the present time, we have not made a similar decision," said Jana Shortt, spokeswoman for Ferguson-Florissant schools. "The problem right now is, we don't even know an announcement is coming."

Riverview Gardens also hasn't decided to call school off.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_f0201435-5193-5d92-bd99-947c8c504ec7.html