Portland Public Schools students endure heat without AC

Published: Sep 05, 2024 Duration: 00:02:29 Category: News & Politics

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And Katherine Cook. Katherine Portland public Schools did not let students out early today. Now it sounds like that is changing for day two of the heat. Yes, but not for everyone in the district. David just schools without air conditioning though in PBS, that's 66 out of its 81 buildings. This after several teachers and parents complained about unsafe conditions and tonight district officials confirming that several students wound up in the nurse's office with symptoms of heat related illness, 100 degree heat and 100 year old building with no air conditioning. It's how kids at Ackley Green Middle School in North Portland spent Thursday. It was really hot like super hot. I can't even explain it. It just felt way too hot everywhere and we had to do outside recess as well. So that was not fun at all. Finnegan and others were hoping for a day off from class. But Portland public schools moved forward with a full day though many schools like this one don't have. Ac Finnegan's just wants his son to be safe. It's a terrible balancing act that they have to do of making sure the kids stay in school. Not overwhelming parents with a bunch of days off for kids. It's miserable. It's not a good learning environment. Social science teacher, Becca Helbig took these photos showing just how hot it got inside. By 1130 she says it was 85 degrees in upstairs classrooms by 2 p.m. Her first floor classroom was 90 degrees. The kids didn't get out of school till four. At that point, we're just, I mean, you just see kids just dripping sweat at their seats. It's not safe, it's not healthy. I don't think it's, it's right to be asking students to sit down in a classroom that's over 80 degrees while they're sweating and then make them do math. By Thursday evening, district officials made changes for Friday. Schools without air conditioned buildings will release kids three hours early schools with AC will operate on a normal schedule. I hope it gets a little cooler because that'd be really nice. That would be nice. Also worth noting all PPS after school activities and child care in non air conditioned buildings will also be canceled for tomorrow. As for athletics, sports programs will follow OS A A guidelines when it comes to practice and activities. David, I guess in terms of uh those early releases, hindsight is always 2020. Thank you, Catherine.

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