The City School District of Albany plans to continue with full school days on the regular schedule this week, with precautions remaining in place to address the anticipated heat wave.
Air conditioning systems will be running on 24-hour cycles throughout the week, and we encourage all employees and students to wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when the weather is extremely hot. Staying hydrated also is a priority when the weather gets as hot as the forecast is calling for this week.
All field trips scheduled for this week will continue as planned, with appropriate precautions in place.
We will continue to monitor the weather and our building HVAC systems. We remain prepared to alter our schedules later in the week if there are equipment malfunctions or problems with the electric grid due to stress on that system during the heat wave.
At Montessori Magnet School, repairs to the central cooling system Monday restored air conditioning in some classrooms, and workers will return Tuesday morning in an attempt to restore full service. Portable air conditioning units also will be in place Tuesday in classrooms still affected by the central cooling problems.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory beginning Tuesday at noon and continuing until 8 p.m. Thursday. The forecast calls for the heat index – a combination of air temperature and humidity – to top 100 each of those days (note that all schools and district offices are closed Wednesday in observance of Juneteenth).
When the heat index rises above 90, outdoor activities at school will be limited to 10-15 minutes. When the heat index reaches 95 or above, all activities will remain inside.
You can use these resources from the National Weather Service to stay safe during the heat wave.
City of Albany spray pads will be open until 6 p.m. each day this week – including Wednesday – for residents to cool off. Albany Public Library branches also will remain open until 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (library branches also are closed Wednesday in observance of Juneteenth).
