Temperatures are forecasted to soar into the high 90s early this week, with the potential for record-breaking heat. In response to the extreme weather conditions, a state of emergency has been declared for 32 counties across New York due to severe storms that have preceded the heatwave.
Schools across various districts are implementing schedule adjustments to prioritize the health and safety of students and staff amid the intense heat. Voorheesville Central School District (VCSD) will have an early dismissal on Monday, June 23, with dismissal times staggered across different schools: Middle School at 10:30 a.m. and Elementary School at 11:30 a.m. Note that testing for high school will proceed as planned.
In Schenectady, students from Grades Pre-K to 8 will also follow a half-day schedule from June 23 to June 27, with dismissal times set at 11 a.m. for elementary students and at 11:45 a.m. for middle school students. Regents exams will occur as scheduled at the high school.
Guilderland schools will also adapt their schedules, with elementary schools continuing regular hours but Farnsworth Middle School closed due to repairs from a water main break. The high school will follow its Regents exam schedule, and adjustments are in place for heat safety: elementary students will dismiss at 11:05 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, for example.
Similarly, in Bethlehem, half days are scheduled for elementary and middle schools on June 23-24, while high school exams will also proceed with precautions taken to ensure easier conditions for students, including air conditioning in exam locations.
Shenendehowa District will announce early dismissals for kindergarten and grades K-5 on June 23 and 24, while Albany schools will adapt to the high heat index with measures such as indoor-only activities and running air conditioning 24/7 to keep environments cool.
While this extreme weather poses challenges to educational operations, districts are taking significant steps to safeguard the well-being of students and staff. The proactive measures and flexibility shown by school administrations demonstrate a commitment to maintaining educational integrity while prioritizing health and safety during this heatwave.