Intense Heat Has Many Schools Canceling Class, Or Closing Early
CHICAGO (CBS) -- With possible record-breaking heat on Tuesday, many local schools were planning to send kids home early, while others were closing altogether.
WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports the 10 schools in Crete-Monee School District 201 canceled classes for Tuesday, due to the intense heat.
CBS 2 Meteorologist Steve Baskerville reports temperatures reached a high of 95 degrees by mid-afternoon, which tied the Sept. 10 record set in 1983.
"These temperatures coupled with high humidity can pose a threat to the safety of our students and also limits the ability for effective learning," District 201 officials said on their website.
Schools Closing Early, Or Cancelling Classes Due To Heat
Parents were notified of the decision to cancel classes on Monday, and were told they would be sent an update Tuesday evening, regarding classes on Wednesday.
RELATED: Full List Of School Closings
The National Weather Service warned "conditions like this can cause extra stress on those prone to heat illness; such as young children, the elderly, and those who work outdoors or in hot buildings."
Waukegan Public School District 60 – which has 26 schools from preschool to high school – was implementing a heat plan on Tuesday, starting and ending classes early, to make sure kids are dismissed before the hottest part of the day.
When the temperature is 95 degrees, they have to be creative at the Glenwood Elementary School in Waukegan, using the cafeteria as a classroom which is cooled by fans from the hallway.
But not every student could be in a cooler place. In Lori Gordon's 4th grade classroom, water is everywhere.
"Very important to stay hydrated so we take frequent breaks to get water," said Gordon.
For Lori Gordon, teaching in a hot a classroom is challenging.
"They get warm and they don't want to concentrate. It's hard for them to work," says Gordon.
Parents like Kristin Neville support ending the day early.
"I think it's important to keep them safe and healthy," said Neville.
In Whiting, Ind., classes also were ending early Tuesday at St. John the Baptist Catholic School.
"We'd like to have more instructional time, but you have to take care of people first," said teacher Marianne Culver.
Significant relief from the hot temperatures will be on the way at the end of the week. Though temperatures could again reach 90 degrees on Wednesday, the high on Thursday will be around 81 degrees, and on Friday, temperatures won't climb out of the 60s.
