Dozens of school districts across the Chicago metropolitan area have canceled in-person classes or shifted to remote learning on Monday, January 26, as a severe cold snap brings dangerously low wind chills to the region. The decision impacts thousands of students and staff, marking the second major weather-related disruption in less than a week.
While many suburban districts opted to close their doors, Chicago Public Schools, the nation's fourth-largest school district, announced that its buildings would remain open for instruction. The closures are a response to a cold weather advisory, with forecasts predicting wind chills could plummet to as low as -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Key Takeaways
- Dozens of suburban Chicago schools are closed or have moved to e-learning due to extreme cold.
- A cold weather advisory is in effect, with wind chills expected to reach -25 degrees.
- Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has decided to keep its schools and offices open for instruction.
- The closures follow widespread cancellations on the previous Friday due to similar weather conditions.
Suburban Districts Prioritize Caution
School administrators in several suburban communities made the call late Sunday or early Monday to alter their schedules. The decisions varied, with some districts ceasing all operations for the day while others transitioned to e-learning platforms to continue instruction from home.
Among the districts implementing e-learning are District 103 in Lyons, District 111 in Burbank, District 124 in Evergreen Park, and Joliet District 86. These schools will require students to log in for virtual classes. Other institutions, including District 194 in Steger and District 108 in Willow Springs, opted for a complete closure. The cold also affected higher education, with Kankakee Community College canceling all its classes and activities.
Impacted Districts
A partial list of affected school systems includes:
- Lyons District 103: E-learning
- Burbank District 111: E-learning
- Evergreen Park District 124: E-learning
- Joliet District 86: E-learning
- Steger District 194: Closed
- Willow Springs District 108: Closed
The primary concern cited by officials is the safety of students who walk to school or wait for buses in the dangerously cold conditions. Exposure to such low wind chills can lead to frostbite on exposed skin in a matter of minutes.
Chicago Public Schools Remains Open
In contrast to the widespread suburban closures, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) confirmed that its facilities would operate on a normal schedule. This decision comes after the district closed all its schools the previous Friday due to the severe weather.
In an official statement, the district reassured families about the safety of its buildings and transportation. The announcement aimed to address parental concerns about sending children to school in the frigid temperatures.
"Based on the forecast, CPS schools and offices will be open on Monday, January 26. We are working to ensure every school is safe, warm, and dry, and that meal service is ready for students. CTA will operate with regular hours and service."
The district also provided safety reminders for families, encouraging them to ensure children are dressed appropriately for the weather with layers, hats, gloves, and scarves to protect against the cold during their commute.
The Science of Wind Chill
The decision to close schools is often driven not by the ambient air temperature alone, but by the wind chill factor. Wind chill is a measure of how cold it feels on exposed skin due to the combined effect of temperature and wind speed.
When wind blows across the skin, it removes the thin layer of warm air at the surface, accelerating heat loss from the body. A wind chill of -25 degrees, as forecasted for the Chicago area, poses a significant risk of frostbite and hypothermia, especially for young children.
Understanding Frostbite Risk
At a wind chill of -25Ā°F, frostbite can occur on exposed skin in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. This makes waiting at a bus stop or even a short walk to school a potential health hazard, prompting many school officials to err on the side of caution.
These conditions also put a strain on school infrastructure. Heating systems must work harder, and there is an increased risk of pipes freezing and bursting, which could cause significant damage to school buildings.
A Week of Weather Challenges
Monday's closures compound the challenges faced by families and educators across the region. The previous Friday, hundreds of schools, including the entire CPS system, were shut down due to a combination of snowfall and cold temperatures. This second consecutive disruption forces many working parents to find last-minute childcare or adjust their work schedules.
The unpredictable nature of winter weather in the Midwest means school districts must have robust plans for both full closures and transitions to remote learning. The increased adoption of e-learning protocols since 2020 has given districts more flexibility, but the shift can still be disruptive for students and teachers alike.
Local authorities are advising all residents to limit their time outdoors and to check on vulnerable neighbors. For families with school-aged children, checking official district websites and local news outlets remains the best way to get up-to-the-minute information on school schedules.