Schools release early because of heat
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
A sign outside Trinity Middle School reads 89 degrees at midday Tuesday. Temperatures later climbed into the 90s.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Parents pick up their children from Madonna Catholic School in Monongahela at the end of their school day Tuesday. Students were given permission to wear their gym clothes or “spirit wear” for the week if they chose, instead of the standard school uniforms, to help them stay cool while temperatures outside are in the 90s.
A few school districts in the area released students early Tuesday and plan to do the same today because of the extreme heat.
Bethlehem-Center is one of them, because its three buildings are not air-conditioned, according to Superintendent Chris Sefcheck. Students left Tuesday and will be leaving school today between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
“The buildings get really hot, especially when you have an older building that’s mostly brick,” he said. “With school safety issues, you can’t open windows and doors, so you get no air circulation. We’re trying to make it as comfortable as we can and getting out before the hottest part of the day.”
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, the heat index will be in the mid to upper 90s. Meteorologist Tom Green said the temperature is supposed to reach the low 90s, but the humidity will make it feel closer to 98 degrees.
“It’s a combination of the heat and the humidity that is making the apparent temperature feel higher,” he said.
Sefcheck also said after-school sporting events and practices will be monitored with extra water and “lots of precautions.” He said some practices were canceled, while others were moved to the evening.
Fort Cherry plans to do the same. Superintendent Jill Jacoby said high school students are being dismissed at noon and the elementary school kids at 12:45 p.m., because neither of the two buildings is air-conditioned.
“We’re making modifications for our athletic events, as well,” she said. “Varsity football will practice from 6 p.m. until dark, and ambulance services will be on campus for a cross country meet and junior high football game (today). We’re also making sure the coaches keep the kids hydrated.”
Central Greene School District announced on its website it would dismiss students at 1 p.m. Tuesday and today “due to the extreme heat forecast.” Superintendent Helen McCracken did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
And even if districts aren’t dismissing classes early, administrators are still taking preventative measures to keep kids safe.
Other districts that have air conditioning, such as Washington, won’t release early, but will move sports practices to later in the evening.
Younger students at Carmichaels and Jefferson-Morgan are staying inside for recess with the elevated temperatures. Jefferson-Morgan Superintendent Joseph Orr added that though the district’s buildings are all air-conditioned, modifications would be made to after-school sports practices as needed, a move echoed at many schools.
Avella Superintendent Cyril Walther said the athletics programs will take a “common-sense approach” this week.
“Those coaches are going to make sure they’ll take more breaks,” he said. “And they’ll maybe not push as hard as they could because of the heat.”
Greene County notified residents Tuesday of a cooling center open at the United Methodist Church on Richhill Street in Waynesburg for those without air conditioning.
Staff writer Trista Thurston contributed to this report.