Is Cold Weather a Good Reason to Cancel School?

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Chicago Public Schools announced Saturday that schools will be open Monday and Tuesday, but parents are being told to use their own judgment on whether it's too cold for their children to attend, the Chicago Tribune reports. 

Most suburban school districts, however, won't make a decision about closing schools until Sunday evening. Many of these schools have been on winter break since the end of December, and Monday would mark the first day back.

In Plainfield, administrators have told parents to plan for school to be open.

The idea of canceling classes because of cold temperatures was a topic that got some heated responses from Patch readers who thought such a move mollycoddled kids and sent them the wrong message. Here's what some of them had to say on Facebook and in the comment sections (remarks are not edited and appear as they were originally posted):
Michael Cordin: I'm sure every student owns enough clothes to stay warm, but they won't wear it. I know Dist. 202 hates to cancel school, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet. The days are built into the calander and are there to be used. I don't enjoy having to "extend" my teaching year, but I also worry about my own safety. It's up to them, and I'm sure if they can have school they will.
David Johnson: It's not the district's responsibility to keep your kid warm at the bus stop. It's yours! If you don't think it's safe for them to stand out there, get your lazy butt out there and drive them.
Margaret Neff-Cross: Drivers are coming in early on Monday to ensure the buses are on time to first stop. So have your children ready to go. Plainfield hates to call school off that is a fact. At least a call saying were monitoring it. Its a step in the right direction.
Sunny D: Plainfield school district please don't forget that we lost a special girl several years back on the first day back to school after Christmas break. The weather was terrible and they should have closed the schools and they didn't. A young girls life was lost that day.
Joel C: Leave it to 202 to put lives in danger. Valley View sets the example by being proactive and makes plans to close as soon as the forecast was known Thursday-Friday, but our dual superintendents are going to wait until the last minute and keep everyone hanging. Do they expect a miraculous heatwave? It's up to parents to protect their kids, keep them home and inside, regardless of what the non-decision makers decide.
Cassie K: I will not let my kids stand outside for 5-10 minutes in temperatures that will be -40 to -50 below zero and have the possibility of them getting frostbite. We have emergency make up days in May.
John N.: I love the comments "we never had snow or cold days" and the "schools should be open." Sorry thats bull, a lot of selective memory going on here. Its going to be cold on a dangerous level, the schools should be closed. The people calling for them to be open are also going to be the first people bitching and suing the district if something happened to their child because of the cold.
Jennifer R: I disagree with many of the posts here that say that it is unnecessary to close school. I teach in a different district, and we will find out if we have school or not on Sunday night. It is a DANGEROUS cold and there will be kids that have no choice but to walk or wait for a bus. It is an absolute no brainer...we make up the day when it is warm, and everyone stays safe.
Elizabeth R: Completely unnecessary! We live in Chicagoland and we all own enough clothes to make ourselves and our children warm. I understand people work and their kids usually walk, but are you telling me that you don't know ANYONE who could take your child to the bus stop or school for one day?
Denise B: Kids are out of school more than they are in. Years ago schools never closed.because of cold, snow. Even in extreme heat kids went to school, what is this generation and generations to come? Just saying
Karen G: Anyone of the adults who say the schools should be open. Would you take public transportation on Monday to work??
Don O: I dont care what they decide - my child will be home fast asleep and not in danger.... let me think.... have them go in -50 wind chill or 80 degree weather in late May.... cmon this is ridiculous


One thing most commenters agreed on, though, was the desire for districts to make a decision as soon as possible so that parents could plan accordingly.

YOUR TURN: Do you think below-zero temperatures are a good enough reason for schools to cancel classes? Or do you think that sends the wrong message to kids? Share your thoughts in the comments section.