As sub-zero temperatures and a Cold Weather Advisory hit the Chicagoland area today, more than 100 schools across Northeastern Illinois chose to close to prioritize the safety of students and staff. However, Metea Valley proceeded with a normal school day, leading to a significant increase in student absenteeism rates. 

Even with a Cold Weather Advisory in effect until Wednesday midnight CST, “wind chills were even colder,” NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said. The “feels-like” temperatures of -29 in DeKalb, -27 in DuPage and Morris, -24 in Waukegan, and -20 in Kankakee.”

Despite experiencing what is considered extreme weather conditions, the Superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204 Dr. Adrian Talley had the ultimate deciding factor in the outcome of the school day. 

“The superintendent communicates with local districts, transportation, and many others before making the decision,” Metea Valley Principal Daniel DeBruycker expressed. “The district decided we have the appropriate resources in place to allow students to come to school safely.”

With deciding to proceed with an in-person school day, approximately 25% of the student body was not present, otherwise tallied to around 730 students. With teachers, 12 full-time teachers were out. While the student percentage exceeded the normal absence rate, the teacher’s absence statistic was not the highest number for the school year, according to the main office secretaries. 

With a visible increase in absenteeism rates tied to the weather, impacts on student learning were expected.

“Families may decide to not send their student to school, so it does create make-up work,” DeBruycker explains. “We also will have a number of teachers subbing or making adjustments if there is an increase of absent students in their classes.”

With the school closures ranging from the city to the suburbs, including elementary, middle, and high schools, locations such as Palos Hills, Oak Lawn, Lyons, Calumet City, Crystal Lake, Elgin, Antioch, Carpentersville, and Grayslake all closed for the day. As Metea proceeded with a typical school day, teachers had to follow the same rules of conduct.

“Teachers need to continue moving forward with their lessons, and planning,” DeBruycker said. “Teachers may make adjustments, but we don’t expect them to do nothing in class because of absences.”