PORTLAND, Ore. — Most heat waves in Portland happen when school is out for the summer, but the potentially record-breaking temperatures on the way for Thursday and Friday are arriving unusually late in the season. With local schools already in session, districts are working to deploy heat mitigation strategies, including reducing school hours if necessary.
Multiple school districts in northwest Oregon have announced earlier release schedules for Thursday and in some cases Friday, including the Estacada, Parkrose, Colton and Gervais districts.
Portland Public Schools warned parents on Tuesday that it was closely monitoring the forecast and would update parents on Wednesday about its plans for Thursday and Friday, but it ultimately decided to keep school open on a normal schedule.
"We understand that heat does not impact everyone equally and families will make the best decisions that meet their students’ needs," the district said in a message to families. "Our teams will work hard to support all of our students, especially our most vulnerable."
Only 15 of PPS's 81 schools have air conditioning. The district said it plans to run the ventilation systems in the remaining buildings from midnight to 6 a.m. to circulate cool air, and it will also set up portable fans and have custodians open the windows in the mornings.
Each school is equipped with a digital monitor to track the exact heat index of the building, and principals have been directed to implement steps like water breaks for students if temperatures hit certain thresholds, PPS said.
In Beaverton, a recent bond measure provided funding to add central AC to nearly all of its buildings over the past few years. Some spaces like gyms still lack AC, according to district communications officer Shellie Bailey-Shah, but all classrooms are covered.
West Tualatin View Elementary is the only school in the district that still doesn't have permanent AC — the upgrade is scheduled for next summer — but it has portable units. The district's main concern now is an AC system failure.
"We can bring in fans, we can bring in portable units, we can shift kids around in the school, but if it gets too hot, we will have to consider early dismissal," Bailey-Shah said.
Both districts say they will follow OSAA guidelines when it comes to after-school sports. Those guidelines recommend stopping practice and games when the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher.
"We would encourage parents to talk to their kids tonight about staying hydrated," Bailey-Shah said. "Drink, drink, drink water. Make sure you are bringing a water bottle to school, that you are drinking frequently throughout the day. Staff will remind them to do that, and you are going to want to dress your students lightly."
These are the PPS schools that DO have AC:
- Benson
- Faubion
- Forest Park
- Franklin
- Grant
- Holiday Annex
- Kellogg
- Lincoln
- McDaniel
- Multiple Pathways to Graduation Building
- Roosevelt
- Rosa Parks
- Tubman
- Applegate
- Clarendon