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CPS Cancels School Wednesday Due To Cold

(CBS) -- Chicago Public Schools has canceled classes for Wednesday due to forecast of severe cold.

Wind chills on Wednesday morning could hit 35 below zero and the National Weather Service has a Wind Chill Warning in effect from midnight Wednesday until noon Thursday.

"The safety and well-being of our students comes first," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett said in a press release. "The frigid temperatures and winds make a dangerous combination, and it is in the best interest of our students to cancel classes."

CPS buildings will remain open to accept any students who do arrive at the school. CPS administrative staff, building engineers and custodians will report for work.

CBS 2's Pamela Jones caught up with nine-year-old Miracle Princess Washington and her mom all bundled up after Miracle's Chicago ballet class Tuesday. They were planning the studying miracle will do when classes are canceled Wednesday for Chicago Public Schools due to the winter blast.

"Why not go to school tomorrow?" Miracle's mother asked. "We're here at ballet and it's not so bad. And I don't believe it's going to be that bad tomorrow."

Not that bad for Miracle" because the bus picks her up for school at her door, but for many of the other 400,000 CPS students, Chicago's mayor and school administrators think canceling class was a matter of safety.

"The kind of North Stars that guide us: health and safety of the children, and enough planning time for the parents to make the adjustments if they're needed," Mayor Emanuel said.

"You have to say, what does the wind chill factor look like? Are the streets? Did we have 10 inches of snow last night?" said Byrd Bennett.

On the flip side, southwest suburban Lemont Township High School will be open, although the elementary school and middle schools in that village will be closed. It is a decision not everyone agrees with.

"These weather conditions are pretty bad and they are still expecting us to come to school," said student Guy Calcagno. "Half the rooms are cold during the school day either way."

For a full list of school closings, click here.

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