Heat wave prompts school early release days next week

An anticipated heat wave has turned Monday and Tuesday into early release days for the Grafton schools out of concern that the combination of temperatures in the upper 90s combined with masks will make classrooms incompatible with learning.

“After a year of dealing with COVID-related challenges, I am hopeful that this is our final hurdle of 2020-2021,” Superintendent of Schools Jay Cummings wrote in a district-wide email.  “Starting Sunday, we are going to have our first heatwave of the year. 

“Heat in June is always an issue, but this year it is worsened by the mask-wearing mandate. Monday and Tuesday are expected to be the hottest days, with temperatures reaching 95. On Monday and Tuesday, the majority of our classrooms will be in the mid-upper ’90s by mid-day.

“We were scheduled to have an early release day next Friday (June 11).  We will now make Friday a full school day.“

The entire district, including all students in the Remote Learning Academy, will have early release days. The state no longer allows districts to use remote learning apart from the Remote Learning Academy, so switching to online classes is not an option.  

“The weather could undoubtedly change, but the odds are that we will have a heatwave,” Cummings said. “I am making this decision now to provide parents with as much notice as possible.”