CPS Cancels Class For Thursday Due To Severe Cold
(CBS) -- Chicago Public Schools has cancelled classes Thursday due to the expected frigid temperatures.
A Wind Chill Advisory is in effect for the Chicago area from 6 p.m. Wednesday until noon Thursday. Wind chills are expected to be between 20 to 30 degrees below zero.
"The health and safety of our students is the District's top priority, and the extreme weather expected tomorrow could present real dangers," said CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett. "Throughout my tenure as an educator, weather forecasts have become more precise and informative, and everyone is now aware of the dangers these temperatures present and the health risks that children face in these conditions. Thanks to these advances, we can make better informed decisions to protect our students."
School buildings will remain open to accept any students who arrive.
In January, CPS cancelled two days of class due to severe cold. CPS also cancelled classes for a day earlier this month after a blizzard dumped 19 inches of snow on Chicago.
CPS anticipates classes resuming on Friday.
Schools in many suburban districts have cancelled as well. For a full list of school closings, visit CBSChicago.com/closings.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports in Waukegan, they are looking at starting school later.
"Looking in tomorrow's forecast, it appeared there is going to be a slight warm up before the noon hour so we would have students start coming into school during those times when it is going to be warmer," said Nicholas Alajakis, Waukegan District 60 spokesperson.
Waukegan District officials say after a teachers strike in the fall, they're also hesitant to lose more days in the classroom.
