No school in Chicago because.......it's cold? (how much, living)

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by treemoni

You are woefully ignorant to the fact that many children do not have the luxury (yes, luxury) of getting a warm ride to school. We have nothing more to discuss.

Well, what can I say? Life isn't all sugar plumbs and lollipops. Parents should have the option to call their kids off for the day if they think it's too cold for them to get to school safely - WITHOUT it being counted as an unexcused absence. Otherwise, it would probably be good for them to know that life doesn't shut down just because it gets really cold in the Midwest during the middle of winter. How many people outside of the school systems do you think got to take off of work today because it was cold out?

Out here in the snow covered corn fields, just about all the kids are transported to school, and as best I can see there is no legitimate reason for them not to be at school today. They don't send them outside for recess when it rains, or when it gets below 20 degrees anyway, so what's the problem? If my kids can stand at the bus stop for 5 minutes when it's 10 degrees, why can't they stand there for 5 minutes when it's zero?

Don't forget to keep track of and get back to me with of the number of student deaths that occur today in Wisconsin because those spoiled brats were forced to attend school today, either...... because I'm SO SURE there are no children in Wisconsin who walk to school!

[ChicagoMeO]

here in chicago, the YMCA is open for $40 a day, (thats a good price for all day babysitting).. the kids get free meals and they showed a bunch of kids playing basketball having fun .. & parents can go off to work .. what a great idea!!!

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by joe1024

I am actually quite curious about the average Chicago winter gear couple decades ago. I am seeing awful amount of children totally inadequately dressed - as if their parents never heard of gloves, woolen caps/hats. Plenty are wearing just the super-thin spring jackets and you can see from their posture they're really freezing. And, the bluish color of their legs just confirms it.

Granted, New Jersey (where I've been last 2 winters) is much, much warmer than Chicago (though, it's actually not as warm as Florida as some make it seem !), but when it's 12F and a kid walks to school (from home, not just the car) in shorts and sneakers, it makes me sick.
And I know for sure it's not the money, as the area isn't so poor (avg family income in that town is $150k-$250k), so they surely can spend $100 on proper boots.

Now, I may be biased, as I spent majority of my life in a region in Europe where the normal winter temperature is around 0F and usually -10F (which actually starts to get a bit chilly with a strong wind), so we were used to the fact that you wear proper layers.

Thus, I'm more inclined to naming it stupidification, rather than de-wussification...

When i was little, when it was this cold, you were supposed to have your mom dress you up so that you looked like the Michelan man,, where you can move your arms or anything, you are bundled up that much. you sort of walk like a robot. but it was to keep us warm enough. now i guess maybe kids dont want to wear a hat so they dont get hat-hair.

i see adults in this below 0 weather not wearing a hat and waiting for the bus.. which is stupid.

[ChicagoMeO]

One reason kids didn't miss school as much before even in bad weather, my opinion is that school was only a few blocks to walk. nowadays its normal for kids to be bused from far away and so that makes a difference. When you only had a block or two or four to walk to school it was more manageable. and we had more stay at home mothers who didn't have to deal with missing work and could escort the kids to school.

[4122]

It seems like Deerfield and Highland Park schools are the only schools that have school today. Deerfield district 109 had a full day a school and Highland Park schools started two hours late. Deerfield HS an Highland Park HS also started two hours later. Anyone else know of schools that had school today?

[nana053]

Chicago itself is relatively unique.

1. There is a high poverty level for kids in the schools and many do not have adequate winter gear for walking to school. When I lived in the area, a friend and I used to supply mittens and hats for the little ones in her classes because they did not have any. These were first graders at the time.

2. There is a certain proportion of kids who are homeless who also walk to school and don't have much winter gear.

3. Many kids go to schools far away from home and don't have bus transportation, so they take the *el* or public buses. This requires long waits and long rides.

4. Many parents do not have cars so getting the kids to school in a warm car is not an option.

[joe1024]

I can totally understand that on a no/minimum income, it may be extra difficult to obtain proper boots and jackets every single winter (as kids rarely can fit into same stuff for two winters).

But Dollar Tree, every winter, has kits for kids for $1, where you get mittens and a hat. For just $1.

I can understand a teenager who wants to "look tough" (not realizing they just look stupid), though. Beats me, how they can keep that attitude till they're 30-40, though...

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by 4122

It seems like Deerfield and Highland Park schools are the only schools that have school today. Deerfield district 109 had a full day a school and Highland Park schools started two hours late. Deerfield HS an Highland Park HS also started two hours later. Anyone else know of schools that had school today?

Oak Park schools were open today. Regular hours.

[glass_of_merlot]

I rather walk my son to school even when it's cold and nasty. It takes 15 minutes to walk to his school from our house when it's snow and ice. Driving just takes longer to me fighting traffic and finding parking. In this weather we bundle up andi cover the stroller with a plastic rain cover to protect my baby from the winds.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by joe1024

I can totally understand that on a no/minimum income, it may be extra difficult to obtain proper boots and jackets every single winter (as kids rarely can fit into same stuff for two winters).

But Dollar Tree, every winter, has kits for kids for $1, where you get mittens and a hat. For just $1.

I can understand a teenager who wants to "look tough" (not realizing they just look stupid), though. Beats me, how they can keep that attitude till they're 30-40, though...

Perhaps dollar tree is an option if you live within walking distance of one which I doubt many poor families do. Also, how warm those are is in question - they are ok for a normal winter but not for the 5th coldest february in chicago history which this one is. Also, that doesn't include winter jackets or coats.

Subzero cold breaks 1936 record; Chicagoans break out cold-weather gear | Chicago