Columbia Public Schools moves outdoor activities inside as classes start amid extreme heat

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

This week is not only the first week of school for many area school districts, it's also a week of high temperatures.

Columbia Public School students will head back to class Tuesday with a high temperature of 100 degrees, with a heat index of 116. CPS spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said afternoon recess and physical education activities will be moved indoors due to the extreme heat, with a possibility morning activities are also moved indoors once temperatures are checked on Tuesday.

The Jefferson City School District returned to the classroom Monday with a high of 97 degrees and a heat index of 117 expected around 4 p.m., according to data from the ABC 17 Stormtrack Weather team.

JCSD spokeswoman Ryan Burns said outdoor activities, including recess, are only permitted before 10 a.m. and all activities later in the day are held indoors. The district also tested all air conditioning systems in its buildings to ensure they are running efficiently.

CPS sent a message to families regarding the heat, including information about appropriate clothing and hydration. The district encourages families to send a water bottle to school with each student and said children will have access to water at school if needed.

Baumstark said attire needs to be school appropriate, but there are ways to beat the heat, including avoiding multiple layers, long sleeves and long pants. In an email, she said, "Sometimes families opt for elaborate first day of school outfits that may not be comfortable with the heat expected tomorrow."

Dr. Ayaaz Habibullah, of Boone Health, said appropriate clothing in this heat includes light-colored, light-weight clothing.

"Loose-fitting clothing, anything that allows for air to come in and make sure that you're not overdoing it or suffering from heat exhaustion," Habibullah said.

He said signs of heat-related illness in children will be the same from elementary-aged children to high-school students, and it includes dizziness, nausea, fatigue and fainting.

"The younger the child, the less likely they are to understand their symptoms," Habibullah said. "So, as parents and community members, it's important to be aware of that and look for those things."

Habibullah said children should make sure to stay hydrated, drinking at least a liter of water throughout the day. He also said it's important to stay away from greasy foods that will lead to dehydration.

At the bus stop, he said to have water, wear sunscreen and try to limit time in the heat, if possible, by waiting inside a friend's house near the stop or waiting in a shaded area.

Baumstark said bus drivers with CPS have been provided with information on heat-related illness as a precaution and will have a supply of water, if needed.

Meanwhile, Our Lady of Lourdes has been in class for three days. Principal Elaine Hassemer said one thing parents should know in regard to keeping their kids safe is the importance of rest.

"Make sure that your kids get lots of rest when they get home," Hassemer said. "They put in a long day at school and could use a little bit of a break inside when they get home in the evening."

Hassemer said all recesses this week and a family event scheduled for Friday have been moved indoors due to the heat.

"There certainly have been hot days when we open school, that happens when you open in August in Missouri, but this seems to be an extended one," Hassemer said.

School districts that returned to class on Monday include:

• Jefferson City School District
• Eldon R-I
• St. Elizabeth R-IV
• New Bloomfield R-III
• Maries County R-I
• Iberia R-V
• Miller County R-III
• Jamestown C-1

School districts returning to class Tuesday include:

• Columbia Public Schools
• Centralia R-VI
• Hallsville R-IV
• Sturgeon R-V
• North Callaway R-I
• Blair Oaks R-II
• Boonville R-I
• The School of the Osage
• Montgomery County R-II
• Morgan County R-II
• Moberly
• Community R-VI
• Van-Far R-I
• Camdenton R-III
• Climax Springs R-IV
• Keytesville R-III
• Northwestern R-I
• Salisbury R-IV
• Cole Co. R-V
• Blackwater R-II
• Otterville R-IV
• Pilot Grove C-4
• Fayette R-III
• Glasgow
• New Franklin R-I
• Maries Co. R-II
• Moniteau Co. R-V
• Wellsville Middletown R-I
• Osage Co. R-I
• Osage Co. R-II
• Osage Co. R-III (Fatima)
• Higbee R-VIII
• Northeast Randolph Co. R-IV
• Renick R-V
• Westran R-I