I honestly think the school closings today were CYA--nobody wanted some kid to get frost-bite and have their parents sue. Can't think of any other reason.
You are right. The city kids don't have hats or gloves and wear $100 basketball shoes. Some of them do have to walk a couple miles, I hear. No good in -25 wind chill. (I've tried stupid things like that.)
For sure some of them will get frozen ears. And whose fault will that be? Mom? No, she can't afford a hat and gloves! Got to make the payments on the cell phone and the widescreen HDTV. Dad? Who's that? The principal of the school or the superintendent for not calling off school? OF COURSE!