CPS Cancels Outdoor Sports, Moves Recess Indoors During Heat Wave

CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools is restricting outdoor activities as dangerous heat moves into the area this week.

With temperatures expected to reach nearly 100 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, the district is moving recess indoors and rescheduling outdoor sports games. Practices for sports teams will be moved indoors or canceled, officials wrote in an email to families Tuesday.

Regular sports programs may resume Friday, according to CPS.

RELATED: ‘Oppressive And Dangerous Heat’ Near 100 Degrees Coming For Chicago. Here’s How To Stay Safe

These are just a few of the precautions CPS is taking as a heat wave is expected to hit Chicago during the first week of the school year.

All classrooms are equipped with air conditioning, and officials will be working to ensure those systems are running smoothly, district officials said.

School officials will also work to keep rooms cool by drawing shades, turning off lights and computers not needed for instruction and moving students and teachers from classrooms exposed to sunlight to other cooler areas of the school, CPS said.

Students are encouraged to bring filled water bottles to school, and staff will provide multiple opportunities for students to refill their bottles, officials said.

Temporary committees will be established at schools to help get heat-related issues and complaints to district leaders in an effort to fast-track fixes to any problems, officials said.

Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago

The forecast calls for highs near 100 degrees Wednesday and Thursday, with heat indices expected in the 105-115 degrees range, according to the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to cool Friday, with a possible high of 89 degrees.

Other city agencies are altering plans and services in the wake of the heat.

The city’s cooling centers will have expanded hours 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Normal cooling center hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Additional cooling centers will also be opened, officials said.

The city’s cooling centers are located at:

• Englewood Center, 1140 W. 79th St.
• Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• King Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove  
• North Area Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave.  
• South Chicago Center, 8650 S. Commercial Ave.  
• Trina Davila Center, 4312 W. North Ave.  

Park District field houses and public libraries also act as cooling centers during excessive heat.

Additional service centers will be open 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, city officials said. Find one near you below.

Regional Service Centers 

• Southeast, 1767 E. 79th St.
• Southwest, 6117 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Central West, 2102 W. Ogden Ave.
• Northeast, 2019 W. Lawrence Ave. 
• Northwest, 3160 N. Milwaukee Ave.
• Renaissance Court, 78 E. Washington St. (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Satellite Senior Centers 

• Pilsen, 2121 S. Morgan St. 
• West Town, 1615 W. Chicago Ave. 
• North Center, 4040 N. Oakley Ave.
• Norwood Park, 5801 N. Natoma Ave. 
• Portage Park, 4100 N. Long Ave. 
• Abbott Park, 49 E. 95th St. 
• Chatham Park, 8300 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
• Roseland, 10426 S. Michigan Ave.
• Garfield Ridge, 5674-B S. Archer Ave. 
• Kelvyn Park, 2715 N. Cicero Ave.
• Auburn Gresham, 1040 W. 79th St. 
• Englewood, 653-657 W. 63rd St. 
• Austin, 5071 W. Congress Parkway 
• Edgewater, 5917 N. Broadway 
• South Chicago, 9233 S. Burley Ave. 

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