All outdoor activities for Chicago Public Schools students have been canceled or will be held inside if possible due to the extreme and dangerous heat Wednesday, according to a letter addressed to families.
The order, put into effect due to the National Weather Service’s heat advisory, includes outdoor recess, physical education, athletics and out-of-school time activities, according to the letter.
The heat advisory remains in force until 9 p.m., according to the NWS.
The letter continued with information about air conditioning and warnings to stay hydrated.
“As a reminder, all CPS classrooms are equipped with air conditioning, and the CPS facilities team will be working with schools to fix any air conditioning systems that may encounter issues this week,” the letter said.
CPS officials recommend students bring full water bottles to school. Students will be able to refill those bottles throughout the day, according to the letter.
A CPS “heat action plan” kicks in during extreme weather, according to the letter, which includes the following steps:
- Ensure that staff and students remain sufficiently hydrated
- Ensure that all water fountains work.
- Encourage and allow students to bring full water bottles to school and provide them with opportunities to refill them.
- Monitor students taking particular medications to ensure proper hydration.
- Keep rooms cool
- Close shades in rooms to block sunlight.
- Keep air circulating by opening windows and doors and using fans.
- Turn off overhead lights, computers and appliances when not required for instruction.
- Move classes from rooms exposed to sunlight and gather inauditoriums or rooms on the interior or in a lower level.