Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced that all schools will be closed on Friday due to extremely cold temperatures in the city. The district stated that all school buildings and extracurricular activities, including athletic practices, games, and events, are canceled. Canceled games will be rescheduled.
“With dangerously frigid temperatures expected tomorrow and a Warning from the National Weather Service that wind chills could reach -35 degrees, it will be unsafe for students and staff to travel to school,” CPS said in a news release.
Other school districts in Illinois and Northwest Indiana are also closing on Friday. While many of those districts plan to switch to remote learning for the day, CPS officials said Chicago schools will not offer remote instruction during the closure.
A significant winter storm is forecasted to move through central and eastern parts of the United States over the weekend. The National Weather Service has issued warnings about “dangerous cold” starting late Thursday through the weekend in Chicago and nearby suburbs. On Friday, high temperatures are predicted between minus 5 and 2 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows ranging from minus 2 to minus 11 degrees. Wind chills may drop as low as minus 40 degrees on Friday morning, raising risks such as frostbite, hypothermia, and frozen pipes according to weather service reports.
The National Weather Service recommended residents stay indoors if possible. CPS expects classes to resume on Monday.
Reema Amin is a reporter covering Chicago Public Schools. Contact Reema at ramin@chalkbeat.org.
