Extreme heat can make class unbearable when a school building does not have air conditioning.
"When kids get overheated, they just don't feel well," says Teresa Fletcher, the lead nurse practitioner for the school-based health center at Akron Children’s Hospital. "They don't want to eat, they don't want to drink, they feel really tired, they're hot, and so they tend not to learn as well either."
According to the National Weather Service, a heat index ("real feel" temperature) at or above 90 degrees can pose health risks. 3News Chief Meteorologist Betsy Kling is forecasting feel-like temperatures for Tuesday at around 100 degrees, with the greatest impact between noon and 6 p.m.
"That's the heat of the day," Kling reported during an afternoon broadcast Monday. "It's the combination of the heat and humidity, which will mean you will need to stay cool."
Fletcher says schools that don't have air conditioning should "definitely keep their kids home for the day."
"It's unsafe for them to be in those stuffy buildings without good air flow and no air conditioning," she added.
Heritage Christian School in Canton has decided to close at noon both Tuesday and Wednesday due to extreme heat. A representative from the school tells 3News their classrooms do not have AC.
Fletcher advises schools that decide to remain open to turn lights off to keep the building cool, hold indoor recess, and offer plenty of water breaks. According to Akron Children's Hospital, a child between 4 and 8 years of age needs five cups of water to stay hydrated when it is hot. Kids 9 and up need eight.
If a student is sweating excessively, doctors say a sports drink is a better option.
"There's usually a recommendation of eight extra ounces of water or electrolyte-containing fluid for every 30 minutes of outdoor activity, especially in the extreme heat," Fletcher explained. "So make sure they bring that Powerade or Gatorade with them and an extra water bottle."
Coaches of students participating in outdoor extracurricular activities should give kids frequent breaks and access to shaded areas.
"If you (as a parent or guardian) feel that their school is going to be too hot, then I would keep them home," Fletcher advised parents.
Northeast Ohio experienced extreme heat in early September of 2023, which closed schools in Parma, Avon Lake, and Bedford.
The Bedford City School District released the following statement about this year's forecasted hot temperatures and school closures:
"In The Bedford City School district, it is crucial for us to prioritize the health and safety of our students by making informed decisions about closures. These measures protect our most valuable population, which is our students, while ensuring that all individuals have access to safe environments during excessively high temperatures. We take this matter seriously and collaborate on strategies that mitigate heat-related risks. If heat temperatures are dangerously high, we will take the necessary precautions to keep our students and staff safe."
Avon Lake has closed their elementary and middle schools, while Parma does not begin school until Sept. 3.