Hello Dearborn Public Schools Community,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful labor day weekend. We had a great start to our school year last week and, despite a forecast that includes warm temperatures to start the week, I know we are all looking forward to keeping that positive energy going this week. I understand that it could be uncomfortable in some of our classrooms throughout the District, especially those with a second and third floor. I remember teaching on the third floor at Salina and understand how the temperature can impact classroom activities. The good news, this weather pattern should break by Wednesday and will allow for cooler conditions on Thursday. During any given school year It’s not uncommon for us to experience bitter cold winters and hot humid summers. Welcome to Michigan!
As Superintendent I work in collaboration with the Board of Education, Cabinet members, and school administrators to make the best decision with regards to all of our 20,000 students. In the case of holding school this week I could not justify keeping all students home and closing schools when each building has a unique situation regarding building temperatures. Closing the entire district would not only create an inconvenience for many of our families but we would be depriving our students of their education/learning opportunities. However, Parents always have the individual right to make a decision in the best interest of their child.
Every building in our district is unique. Some have air conditioning throughout, others in certain spaces, and still others have very limited air conditioning. Please click here to view a map showing the air conditioning status of our buildings. Although the work is not complete at this time, I’m happy to share that very soon four additional schools (DuVall, Oakman, Snow, Whitmore-Bolles) will also have air conditioning available. We have allocated a significant amount of our budget to expand HVAC and air conditioning throughout the district. This includes cooling areas in every school. However, due to the funding system in Michigan we do not have the budget to fully expand air conditioning throughout the entire district without a ballot initiative or a major infrastructure investment from the state or Federal government.
Our Principals are working with their staff members to work through these conditions and continue to provide meaningful instruction to our students. We will take appropriate precautions, will ensure that students are hydrated, will limit physical activities, and will move instruction to cooler locations in the schools as necessary and as determined by staff in specific buildings. Listed at the end of this communication are Helpful Hints that were sent out to Principals.
Thank you for your support of Dearborn Public Schools and our students. I appreciate your efforts in helping us to provide our students, your children, with the very best education during our warmer days and throughout the year.
Regards,
Glenn Maleyko, Ph.D
Superintendent
“Helpful Hints During Heat Days” was sent to all building administrators.
Some may apply more to the elementary level and others work better at secondary.
Wear it Well-
Allow for Dress Code flexibility and cooler clothes including appropriate shorts if necessary during the heat days.
H2O to the Rescue
Stay hydrated! Drinking lots of water and avoiding sugar and caffeine will keep your body from reacting to the heat. Allow students to keep a water bottle at their desk when temperatures are in the 90’s.
Limit Physical Activities
Please monitor any in-school and afterschool activities. Limit or reduce practice times.
Go to Different locations in the building to hold class.
For example, some schools have air conditioning in the cafeteria, staff meeting room, computer lab, media center, or other areas in the building. Over the past several years we have increased our air conditioning capacity in the district but have not been able to afford air conditioning everywhere.
Take it Outside
Allow teachers to move their class outside for a short time. Believe it or not, it can actually be cooler outside in the shade of a tree with a breeze than in a closed up classroom with less air circulation.
Close the Shades
For classrooms with shades it’s best to keep them closed. Many of our classrooms have cooler less heat producing lighting so blocking out the hot sun will help to keep classrooms cooler. Of course, turning out the lights is always an option as well.
Blow It Out
If you do have a fan in your classroom, use it to blow the hot air out the window rather than facing in toward the room. If possible, place the fan directly across from the classroom door to create a flow of air through the room.
Get Low (Elementary level especially)
Expand the use of having students work in a group sitting on the floor.
Cool Rewards
Reward yourself and your students with cooling breaks. For a quick fix, run cold water over your wrist or a damp cloth on the back of your neck.