SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The 90s we’re seeing in the middle of the week are impacting everyone in Michiana, especially kids going back to school mode.
With students boarding buses at the peak heat of the day, schools across Michiana are making sure the kids stay cool.
"So, typically, on our buses, we only put the windows about halfway down...during extreme heats, we do let them put them all the way down, so we can get some pretty significant airflow. We'll also open the emergency hatches on top that will catch some wind and bring them down through."
Ted Brown, Director of Transportation at Plymouth Community Schools, says airflow is key in non-air-conditioned buses, a sight familiar across most school districts.
“They get very, very warm, especially if your windows are all up during, you know, the day. So, we'll make sure the drivers make sure to leave some of the windows down throughout, so any airflow at all will help out.”
It isn’t just kids going home that need ways to cool off, but kids that stay for outdoor activities after school.
“We've been through this before, and we'll always err on the side of caution.”
Jeff Hart, Athletic Director at Penn High School, is constantly monitoring the weather to make sure students stay safe. Once the heat index hits 106, he takes action.
“If it goes above it, kids have to come inside, get off the field. But then, even if it's below that, and as it starts to get hotter, you know, we recommend shorter practices, more water breaks. Some of our teams have already changed their practice times.”
While most schools have their own policies regarding the heat and extracurriculars, every school has access to policies from the National Federation of High Schools on prevention of heat related illness, passing information down to the students
“We remind kids to hydrate days in advance, and so to make sure they're staying hydrated, because, you know, dehydration can come on quickly, and by the time you realize it's an issue, you know, it's going to become a bigger problem,” said Hart.
Staff from teachers to coaches to bus drivers are well equipped in how to handle hot situations.
Many schools have also been sending out informational packets about the hot conditions, reminding parents, teachers, and students to be wary of the hot conditions we will see.
Of course, you can stay updated on the ABC57 Weather App in case we get any more hot streaks as we head into fall.