Tomorrow we will be cancelling school for a heat day. Our K-8 classrooms have been experiencing overheating conditions that make it difficult to maintain a safe and comfortable learning environment.
We want to share detailed information regarding the extreme heat conditions impacting our building and the steps we have taken to support the safety and comfort of our students and staff.
Recently, the pipes in our cooling tower burst, causing significant issues with our building-wide air conditioning system. The Board acted quickly and approved the installation of a new cooling tower; however, due to contractor scheduling and equipment availability, the installation cannot be completed until this summer.
In the meantime, the Board also approved portable air conditioning units for every classroom. We have supplemented these units with fans and swamp coolers to improve airflow and reduce temperatures as much as possible. Despite these efforts, the extreme heat we are experiencing—over 80 degrees yesterday, today, and tomorrow—has pushed our temporary cooling solutions beyond their limits.
Classroom temperatures are at risk of reaching between 85 and 90 degrees. These conditions pose a health risk to both students and staff, and we must prioritize their well-being. For this reason, we will be calling a Heat Day for tomorrow, Friday, May 15th.
We understand the hardship this may cause for families, and this decision was not made lightly. Tomorrow’s forecasted high of 82 degrees, combined with our current building limitations, makes it necessary to take this precaution.
Night of the Notables, originally scheduled for tomorrow after school, will also be postponed. We will share a new date as soon as we can.
The good news is that next week’s temperatures are expected to be much cooler, and we will be resuming classes as normal.
Thank you for your understanding, patience, and continued support as we work through these challenges. Our commitment to providing a safe learning environment remains unwavering.