(WTTW News)

Chicago Public Schools remained open Wednesday amid heavy storms that dropped several inches of snow across much of the city, but just under 50% of students actually showed up to classes.

According to CPS data, 49.9% of Pre-K through 12th grade students in district-operated schools were accounted for on Wednesday.

“Chicago Public Schools (CPS) aims to provide a welcoming and safe environment for students to grow and thrive, even amid the current COVID-19 pandemic and challenging weather conditions,” the district said in a statement Wednesday.

While 82% of teachers were present for work, just 44.6% of high schoolers and 51.9% of elementary schools students showed up, per CPS.

Chicago Teachers Union leaders criticized the decision to keep schools open Wednesday, saying the district should have instead moved to remote learning for the day instead of having parents “risk life and limb” getting their kids to school.

CPS maintained it is not authorized to implement districtwide remote learning under state law.

Accumulation from the storm’s first round varied widely, with 5.6 inches reported at O’Hare Airport, 11 inches at Midway Airport, according to the National Weather Service as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation encouraged people to stay home if possible, while Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation had nearly 300 salt spreaders out.

Patty Wetli contributed to this report.

Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431