The heat wave that recently swept through Columbia induced early dismissals for a few local junior high schools.
Temperatures soared into the high 90s soon after classes began. Jefferson Jr. High School and West Jr. High School are two of the schools that scheduled early releases due to the fact that they do not have building-wide air conditioning.
Jefferson Jr. High School has had eight early release days due to the extreme heat since they started school on Aug. 16.
“There has never been a (full day) cancellation since I have been here,” Jefferson Jr. High Principal Greg Caine said. “But if the temperatures were at 90 degrees by 8 a.m., we would probably consider it.”
When deciding whether to close the school, Columbia Public Schools takes a number of things into consideration.
“First and foremost is the safety of the students and staff in the building,” CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said in an email. “Second, we look at outside temperatures … temperatures in the building, air flow within the building, and humidity.”
It is the decision of CPS, not of the school, to close the school or schedule an early release. For early releases, the students are finished by 11:30 a.m. This is considered a full day of school according to the state of Missouri, so make-up days are not necessary.
However, the heat wave has impacted the curriculum of the school.
“Every class is different … teachers can assign more homework and utilize technology, yet these are certainly not replacements for being in the classroom,” Caine said. “For some classes, like physical education and languages courses, this leaves less time for hands-on practicum.”
Teachers are worried about playing catch-up with the schedule, as a significant amount of time is cut off of each class period when the school day is shortened.
“We’ll have to make sure all of the curriculum is covered,” Caine said. “Kids must be in the classroom for optimum learning.”
The heat wave created a small bump in the schedule, and the teachers will adjust accordingly to squeeze in the entirety of their core curriculums.
The early dismissals due to extreme heat are not uncommon for Columbia schools. Baumstark said heat days occur every year.
“Jefferson Jr. and West Jr. do not have air conditioning,” she said. “This is the first year that only those two buildings have had to have heat dismissals.”
MU students should not hope for class cancellations, however. All of the buildings on campus have some form of air conditioning, so the sweltering heat does not interfere with classes. MU spokesman Christian Basi said classes have never been cancelled due to a heat wave.
CPS is currently assembling bids to send to the Columbia Board of Education regarding the air conditioning projects of Jefferson Jr. High and West Jr. High. The bids will determine the final costs and time needed for the projects.
To make up for the time lost, students have adopted abbreviated schedules that allow them to attend all of their classes. The Board of Education requires a certain number of hours per school year, and the adjusted school calendar ensures that the schools exceed that requirement, Baumstark said.
Most important is the safety of the students, so adjustments and early dismissals will continue to be made until the temperatures fall.
“I don’t have a crystal ball … but we hope Mother Nature will give us a break soon!” Baumstark said.