Plainfield Schools: 'Plan For School to be Open' Despite Extreme Cold

Plainfield schools are scheduled to be back in session next week.

But a forecast that's calling for temperatures reaching 5 below to 17 below zero—and feeling like 20 below to 25 below with the wind chill index—leaves the possibility that local schools will extend the break at least an extra day for safety reasons.

As of Friday afternoon, Plainfield schools have said classes will resume as scheduled. The following message was posted to the District 202 website Friday as part of an Education Partners newsletter:

"District officials are aware of the predictions for extreme cold early next week and will continue to monitor the situation.

Meanwhile, at this point, we expect school to be held on Monday. Please plan accordingly – make sure your children are dressed appropriately, or if possible, please drive them to school. Of course, parents can always keep their kids home if they feel conditions are unsafe.

We will notify you as soon as possible through the usual outlets (Connect-ED, the media, the Internet) if we decide to close school.

This is the most current information available. Please do not call your school or the district office."

Click here for information on District 202's school closing policy.

Check back with Patch for updated school closings information. Closings can also be found at EmergencyClosings.com.

What's Too Cold?

Temperatures are expected to hover between 5 below and 17 below zero over the next days, with a wind chill index around 20 below to 25 below, according to the National Weather Service. The agency also is forecasting that wind speeds will reach 20 to 25 mph, with gusts up to 35 mph. 

That combination can lead to hypothermia—when the body loses more heat than it can produce—and frostbite, which can set in within 15 minutes once it reaches dangerously cold temperatures. Check out the wind chill index chart in this article to see what levels those are. And go to the agency's wind chill page for more information.

YOUR TURN: Do you think schools should cancel classes because of the extreme cold? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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