September 2023: Philadelphia Schools Closed Early Due To Extreme Heat
"Some schools in the Philadelphia School District and schools in surrounding areas will be dismissed early during the first week of school due to the extreme heat. The Philadelphia schools impacted are those that do not have strong adequate air conditioning or no air conditioning at all, according to the school district. From Tuesday, Sept. 5, to Wednesday, Sept. 6, students in Philly schools will be released on an early dismissal schedule. The school district laid out which schools are impacted and what time classes will be dismissed."
Philadelphia School District Sent Students Home Early Due To Heat
"“Some of schools that officials closed because of the heat due to state policy – like his – are in Philadelphia’s poorer communities. One of Moses’ kids goes to another school in the district where ‘it’s very well air-conditioned and more often than not it’s cold.’ Both said they expect the trend to continue as temperatures rise and school buildings stay the same. Of the more than 200 schools in the district, Monique Braxton, a spokeswoman for the school district, students from up to 86 schools were sent home early during the beginning of the school year.”"
Early Dismissals Due To Heat In Philadelphia Impacted 38,000 Students
"Last week’s early dismissals likely impacted upwards of 38,000 students, based on last year’s enrollment data for the schools that closed early. The district’s list of 86 school buildings included two annex buildings, which are not included in this estimate, and a spokesperson later confirmed that one school on the list did not dismiss early."
39% Of The Roughly 75,000 Students That Attend A District-Operated, Non-Alternative Elementary, Elementary-Middle, Or Middle School Were Dismissed Early At Some Point
"“Approximately 39% of the roughly 75,000 students that attend a district-operated, non-alternative elementary, elementary-middle, or middle school were dismissed early at some point last week, according to last school year’s enrollment data. Meanwhile, fewer than 24% of the roughly 37,000 students that attend a district-operated, non-alternative high or middle-high school were dismissed early last week, according to last year’s enrollment numbers.”"
Extreme Heat Forced Early Closure Of “Dozens” Of Philadelphia Schools.
"“Just a few days into the 2024-25 year, Philadelphia School District officials announced they will close dozens of schools three hours early on Tuesday and Wednesday because of predicted sizzling temperatures. Temperatures are due to hit 90 on Tuesday for the first time in three weeks, and the air is expected to be become progressively steamier during what forecasters say will be a short-lived hot spell.”"
Philadelphia saw six days in a row of 90+ degree heat June 3rd – 8th, with two days setting record high temperatures.
“I really cannot fathom little kids aged 9 and 7 trying to learn in this environment.” – Charisse Moses, mother of two Philadelphia school district students."
“It's so hot you can’t even think straight.”
“It's just not fair.” – third grade math teacher Jason Bui
‘It feels too hot, and I feel like I’m sweating. Sometimes they let us get water and they put the fan out.” – Azariah Gibbs, 9.
“This is a huge symptom of historic underfunding, and one of the best examples I can point to quite frankly.” – School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Tony Watlington
“Learning is hard enough as it is, under the best of conditions. But when it’s hot, either during an exam or in the classroom [before the exam], it appears to be quite detrimental to student performance.” – R. Jisung Park, an environmental economist at the University of Pennsylvania.
“It’s wrong. It’s only the urban community kids that are suffering and getting a lack of education and it’s not right.” – Leetonia Walton, mother.
Parent Doris Leavy: “Kids can have a heat stroke in school if it's too hot, There's no air circulation or they don't have good water fountains.”
Leavy: “I might have to take off of work, I feel like we're just starting to get back to the norm, so now the kids have to come home early because of the heat. It's kind of frustrating.”
Grandparent Conchetta McClary: “It's very hard to function because with heat like that it makes you tired, it makes you restless, and you'll be irritated.”
Philadelphia School District Statement: “Exposure to excessive heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. In extreme heat, the District encourages families to please remember to keep their children hydrated and dressed in light-colored and lightweight clothing, and be sure they wear sunscreen.”
Heat indexes in August 2024 were expected to reach 105 degrees in August 2024.
Oz Hill, acting chief deputy superintendent of operations: “We realize that early dismissals, especially during the first week of school, can present challenges for many families.”
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D., Philadelphia): “I will never forget being in one classroom that was so hot in the middle of the winter day you had all the windows open because it felt like a sauna in there.” Note: this is in reference to a visit to a school several years before, not this week.
June 2023: Extreme Heat Caused Closure of Pittsburgh Schools
"Forty Pittsburgh Public Schools have moved to remote learning for the rest of the week due to high temperatures. The closures were announced after the district established a new protocol for the heat for city schools with insufficient air conditioning systems. Under the protocol, when the National Weather Service forecasts temperatures to reach or exceed 85 degrees and/or a heat index of 90 degrees or higher, the district will determine if a temporary shift to remote learning or other action is necessary."
June 2023: Extreme Heat Forced Closure of Philadelphia Schools without Air Conditioning
"With temperatures expected to be in the low 90s on Friday, 90 Philadelphia schools will have a two-hour early dismissal due to the extreme heat. The Philadelphia School District announced the following schools in need of air conditioning and/or electrical systems upgrades will have a two-hour early dismissal on Friday."
Temperatures in Philadelphia reached low 90s, Pittsburgh mid 90s, during the first week June 2023.
Philadelphia School Official: “We can't have our students in that kind of weather. We do not want to have a breeding ground for heat-related illnesses.”
Philadelphia parent: “I'm missing work. Get these kids some air.”
Parent: “Hurry up and get air conditioning in these buildings so these kids can still learn.”
Pittsburgh District Superintendent Wayne Walters: “Caring for the health, safety, and wellness of our students and staff is multi-faceted, and that is why I have identified the development of safety, health, and wellness protocols as one of five priority goals.”
