McHenry High School has announced an e-learning day on Friday as severe weather conditions are set to take place in McHenry, marking it the coldest day in the Chicago area in years.

According to NBC Chicago, wind chill values threaten to be between -25 and -40 degrees.

Greg Eiserman, Upper Campus principal, explains the decision in having an E-learning day instead of a snow day.

“We moved to e-learning so we could better adhere to the school calendar and improve our chances of ending on our prescribed date. It gets challenging to add days to the end of the year, especially if you end up with 2 or 3 snow/cold days.”

Dr. Ryan McTague, superintendent of MCHS, consults with other local superintendents the day before, in order to try to make a decision as a group.

“If we can make the call to close our school buildings early so teachers and students have time to prepare,” McTague explains, “then we will most likely initiate our e-learning plan.”

E-learning will be 25 minute periods, with first period starting at 8:30. Students will have work time after attending all eight periods on Google Meets.

After classes end, students are encouraged to visit their teachers on Google Meets during office hours between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. if they need help with their work.

Students do not need to attend study hall, AIM, or zero hour.

Sam Rydalch, a senior, disapproves of the school’s decision to hold an e-learning day instead of a non-attendence snow day.

“I would rather have a snow day because I am a senior,” she explains, “so we wouldn’t have to make them up at the end of the year.”