Evanston/Skokie School District 65 is delaying its return to in-person classes from Tuesday to Wednesday due to extreme weather concerns, district Superintendent Devon Horton announced Monday afternoon. 

District 65 students and teachers will be expected to attend both synchronous and asynchronous classes virtually according to the hybrid learning schedule, but all District 65 buildings and centers will be closed, Horton said. 

“We recognize that this is the first day for some students and educators in new classrooms,” Horton said. “(Tuesday) should still largely focus on welcoming activities and community building.”

Up to 15 inches of snow could fall in Evanston from Monday to Tuesday, and residents can anticipate winds gusting up to 28 mph, Edgar Cano, the Evanston public services bureau chief, announced in an email Monday morning.

“This is looking like a very impressive event,” Cano said. 

All pre-K through fifth-grade students will be invited to return to District 65 classrooms starting Wednesday. Some middle schoolers will also return to classrooms Wednesday, according to a plan that prioritizes students with free and reduced lunch, Emergent Bilingual and English Learner students, special education students and students experiencing homelessness. 

Once buildings are open, District 65 schools will operate in accordance with Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education health and safety guidelines. 

In-person learning in Chicago Public Schools will also be canceled Tuesday. 

Email: [email protected] 

Twitter: @maia_spoto

Related Stories: 

— Superintendent Devon Horton talks hybrid learning, racial equity goals

— D65 to launch hybrid learning model Feb. 16