The excitement of a new school year quickly turned into frustration for thousands of Philadelphia students as extreme heat caused early dismissals on their second and third days back in session. The School District of Philadelphia made the decision to release students three hours early from 63 schools without adequate air conditioning on Tuesday and Wednesday, while all other schools remained on a regular schedule.
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Early dismissals are implemented by the school district when temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 85 degrees by noon. With the National Weather Service forecasting highs of 90 and 96 degrees for Tuesday and Wednesday, it was important to prioritize the safety and comfort of students and staff.
The list of impacted schools includes a range of elementary, middle, and high schools all across the city. From Abram Jenks School to William L. Sayre High School, a total of 63 schools had to close early due to the extreme heat.
Over the past two years, the school district has seen some progress in upgrading cooling systems at various school buildings. While 100 schools had early dismissals in 2022, that number dropped to 86 last year. In addition, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts generously donated $200,000 towards the upgrading efforts this spring, which will help cover 10 city schools.