Chicago Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd due to the anticipated cold temperatures. The school building will be closed. Below is the letter CPS has sent to all families
Please stay home, safe, and warm.
Sincerely,
Principal Shelton
Letter from CPS
Dear CPS Families,
We have been carefully monitoring the forecast over the past 24 hours and have determined that, given the frigid temperatures predicted for tomorrow and a National Weather Service Warning that wind chills could reach -35 degrees, it will be unsafe for staff and students to travel to school. Therefore, we are canceling all classes for Friday, January 23. All after-school programming, including athletic practices and games, are also canceled for Friday. However, all activities will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, January 24.
Please DO NOT send students to school tomorrow, as there WILL NOT be adults to receive them. In addition, crossing guards and Safe Passage Workers WILL NOT be on duty.
Canceling classes is always a last resort, which is why CPS has been working closely with the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) and other City agencies, and why we have relied on information from the National Weather Service to help guide our decision.
Factors that go into making this decision include:
- Air temperature and wind chill
- The amount of snow and ice on the ground
- The ability of students and staff to get to school and work safely
- The accessibility of buildings and roads
- The ability to transport students safely on buses
- Potential issues with heating systems or power outages
- The safety risks to our employees, especially those who work outside (crossing guards, Safe Passage Workers, etc.)
There will be no remote learning for students tomorrow — Friday, January 23. We expect that classes will resume for all students on Monday, January 26.
Here are some tips to help everyone stay warm during these very cold days:
- Stay inside and limit unnecessary trips outdoors
- Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing
- Pay special attention to keeping your hands, head, ears, and feet warm and dry
All Chicago Park District buildings and Chicago Public Library locations will be open during their normal business hours on Friday, January 23 as options for taking shelter from the cold. Chicago is also operating several warming centers that can be accessed throughout the winter months. Click here for complete details on these centers, or call 3-1-1 for information on where you can take shelter from the cold.
Anyone needing access to meals and groceries during this cold snap can access the following:
- This CPS resource that matches school locations with local food pantries, along with shelter and medical care options.
- The We Got You Illinois website, which includes a comprehensive list of food pantries, meal programs, and food distribution partners throughout Chicago and Cook County.
Again, classes and after-school activities are canceled for all CPS students on Friday, January 23. We thank you for your continued support and urge you to visit cps.edu for all weather updates regarding CPS schools.
Sincerely,
Chicago Public Schools