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Weather Guidelines

If heavy snow or extreme cold make it dangerous for students to travel to and from school, CPS may need to cancel classes.

Chicago Public Schools’ goal is to always have schools open. We don’t want students to miss valuable learning time or the warm classrooms and meals they may depend on as part of the school day. Throughout the winter season, our maintenance crews test equipment regularly to make sure heating systems are working well, and every school has a snow removal plan so that sidewalks, walkways, and parking lots are clear for students and staff.

CPS also closely monitors weather forecasts and makes all decisions related to school closings based on the health and safety of our students. If school is canceled due to weather, CPS will get the word out quickly.

Learning About School Closings

CPS contacts parents through robocalls, which is why it’s so important that schools have up-to-date contact information for all families. If your phone number has recently changed, please let your school know.

Any information on school closings is also posted on our homepage, cps.edu, on the district’s Facebook and Twitter pages, and available by calling the CPS main number at 773-553-1000.

The same communication tools are used to inform parents when schools are set to reopen. You will also receive a letter in your student’s backpack explaining how the district will make up any attendance days lost to weather.