Some Schools Start Late Thursday Due To Intense Cold
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Many Chicago area schools canceled classes on Thursday, due to the bitterly cold weather, and several schools that stayed open began their day late because of the intense wind chills.
Wind chills were as low as 20 below zero Thursday morning around the time most kids go to school.
McKinley Elementary School and the five other schools in Bellwood School District 88 started an hour late Thursday, at 8:30 a.m., when the wind chill was still around 18 below zero.
Parents dropping off their kids at McKinley welcomed the later start, and kids loved the idea.
"I think that's good," parent Samantha Nevarez said.
Fifth grader Rachel Gonzalez said the late start allowed her to get some extra sleep, and gave her more time to get ready for the cold.
Principal JoAnn Scott said there would be no outdoor recess, and she was making sure children didn't linger outside when they got to school.
"We're giving out coats for children who need them. We gave out gloves yesterday. We have hot breakfast," she said.
The elderly are most at risk of hypothermia in the extreme cold, but children also can be vulnerable if they're having too much fun playing in the snow, so parents should keep a close eye on kids outside.
