CORONADO, Calif. -- Coronado Unified School District students will be dismissed early for a second consecutive day Thursday as the sticky late-summer heat wave continues to grip the region.
Coronado Unified School District's minimum day scheduling took effect due to high heat and humidity forecasts for the week. All schools began at their regular times, but students were dismissed at 12:30 p.m. The schedule will repeat on Sept. 10.
Many Coronado schools have classrooms that do not have air conditioning, and District Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Felix said early release of students will happen when temperatures or the heat index reach 90 degrees or higher.
Heat releases are based on ambient air temperature, heat index, air pollution standards and other factors as they are reported by the National Weather Service. Many Coronado classrooms lack air conditioning and "occasionally suffer from extreme and unhealthy temperatures," Felix said in a statement posted on the district's website.
"I almost melted," Village Elementary School second-grader Mason Wilson said of Wednesday's heat. "I had to take 10,000 drinks."
"It was really hot and the whole class was pretty much sweating the whole day," added student Scarlett Brown.
"Really all of us are 100 percent behind it because we know it's the best thing and they really can't concentrate when they don't feel good," said parent Roanna Canete.
Faculty and school staff "are expected to continue their normal schedule and contracted workday hours as directed by their immediate supervisor."
At campuses in the San Diego Unified School District, the school day will not be shortened because of the heat. However, instructors were advised to modify plans and limit outside activities.
San Diego Unified only cuts classes short in schools without air conditioning in every classroom on days when temperatures of 95 degrees or higher are forecast, the heat index -- how hot it will really feel because of the humidity -- is at least 103 and it is not the first day of a heat wave, according to the district's website. Today's forecasted weather does not meet that criteria.
District officials encouraged students to bring water and take extra water breaks, dress in lightweight clothing -- although it must be compliant with the dress code -- and apply sunscreen or have their parents do so. Many teachers also keep spray-bottles with water in classrooms so that they can "mist" students at their request or as needed.
For more information, visit http://coronadousd.net/news/minimum-days-on-wednesday-thursday-at-cusd/.
