Children cool off in Chicago's Millennium Park [Getty Images]
School Districts Taking Action
Gabrielle Wessels, a parent in Orange County, New York, was surprised when her children's school announced early dismissals due to extreme heat. The Minisink Valley Central School District made the decision after monitoring uncomfortable temperatures in their buildings, despite efforts to keep the air flowing with high-powered fans. Students at middle and elementary schools were sent home early, including Gabrielle's two children, 6-year-old Claire and 11-year-old Hunter.
Nationwide Trend of 'Heat Days'
Students like Claire and Hunter are not alone in getting unexpected time off from school due to 'heat days.' With record-breaking temperatures reaching as high as 105F (41C) in the Northeast and Midwest, around 70 million people in the US are under heat alerts this week. From Massachusetts to New York, schools are either letting students leave early or canceling classes entirely due to a lack of adequate air conditioning systems.
Legislation and Concerns
Lawmakers in New York have passed a bill to prevent students from entering classrooms with temperatures above 88F (31.1C), but the bill is awaiting the governor's approval. In Orange County, Ms. Wessels noted that her children's school only has air conditioning in the cafeteria and administrative offices, leaving classrooms hot and uncomfortable.
Global Impact
Extreme heat is not just a problem in the US, as more than 40 million students in Asia and North Africa experienced class cancellations last month due to heatwaves. Professor Paul Chinowsky highlighted the growing issue of schools closing or dismissing students early because of heat, with the number of heat-related cancellations on the rise.
Urgent Need for Solutions
As temperatures continue to increase, many schools are finding it challenging to cope without proper air conditioning systems. A significant portion of K-12 public schools in the US require updates to their cooling systems, highlighting the need for substantial federal funding to address this issue. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent due to climate change, the impact on school operations is becoming more apparent.
Debate on School Closures
While some argue that 'heat days' are necessary for student safety, others believe that these closures are unnecessary and disrupt the educational process. Concerns have been raised about the long-term effects of school closures on students, especially in light of disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Forecast and Climate Change
The National Weather Service has labeled this week's extreme heatwave as the first significant one of the season, affecting a large portion of the US. Heatwaves have become more frequent and intense globally since 1950, with scientists attributing these extreme weather events to climate change.
Overall, the increasing prevalence of 'heat days' in schools highlights the urgent need for effective solutions to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures in educational settings.