Chicago Public Schools is one of nearly 200 area districts that are canceling classes Friday as a frigid weather system brings what the National Weather Service described as “dangerously cold” temperatures that could cause frostbite on exposed skin within minutes.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme cold warning for Chicago, along with the rest of central Cook County, including the suburbs of Oak Park, Cicero and Oak Lawn. It begins at 3 a.m. Friday and expires at noon.
CPS informed families late Thursday morning that schools will be closed Friday, citing “dangerously frigid temperatures” that will make it unsafe for students and staff to travel to school. There will be no remote learning, though many suburban districts will offer online instruction.
All extracurricular activities, including athletic practices, games and events scheduled for Friday also are canceled. District officials expect classes and after-school activities to resume Monday.
It’s rare for the district to cancel classes. The last time CPS closed schools for bitterly cold weather was on Jan. 16, 2024, when wind chills reached 30 degrees below zero.
Several Chicago Catholic schools, including St. Ignatius College Prep, St. Matthias Elementary School and St. Clement School, also are closed on Friday, with some moving to remote learning.
It wasn't immediately clear if all Catholic schools would be closed. A spokesperson for the Office of Catholic Schools said that decision is handled at the school level. Families should check with their individual schools.
Families can visit emergencyclosingcenter.com to check whether their district has canceled classes.
Temperatures are expected to plummet starting Thursday night to a low of 9 degrees below zero with wind gusts as high as 30 mph, causing windchills as low as 40 below, according to the National Weather Service. The cold will persist through Friday morning, with highs only reaching zero degrees during the day.
CPS parent Nancy Salgado said she was “very grateful” the district decided to close schools Friday, “especially for the kids who have to walk or take the bus to school,” like her daughter, who attends Lake View High School.
The 16-year-old takes two buses there and back, Salgado said in a text message.
Salgado also was glad the district notified parents early in the day because “it helps prepare working parents who need to arrange care for children.”
