Des Moines Public Schools will be dismissing classes three hours early on Thursday due to the continuation of a heat wave in the Midwest. The region is experiencing high temperatures and humidity, with a high-pressure ridge over Iowa and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico contributing to the unseasonably hot conditions.
Des Moines recently set a record high temperature of 100 degrees on August 23, which is 17 degrees above average. Throughout Iowa and its surrounding areas, temperatures have been about 20 degrees above average on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
On Thursday, Des Moines is expected to reach a high temperature of 99 degrees, with a heat index of 105 degrees. In response to these extreme conditions, DMPS elementary schools will dismiss at 11:40 a.m., while middle and high schools will dismiss at 12:25 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will still be served to students.
Although all DMPS classrooms are air-conditioned, most of the buses are not. DMPS Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts expressed concern for the health and well-being of students and staff members, stating that early dismissal will help avoid exposing them to the highest forecasted temperatures of the day.
Outdoor high school practices will be scheduled between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. or after 7:30 p.m., and all outdoor athletic competitions for Thursday will be postponed. Additionally, Metro kids after-school childcare will not be available after the early dismissal.
In a similar move, Johnston schools closed early on Wednesday and will do the same on Thursday due to the near record-breaking heat wave in Iowa. The decision was made because geothermal cooling systems in some buildings were not able to keep up with the excessive heat. All schools in the district were released early for equitable purposes.
Secondary schools in Johnston will dismiss at 11:50 a.m., while elementary schools will dismiss at 1 p.m. School buses will transport students home at those times, and Kids Connection child care will remain open until 5 p.m.
The excessive heat warning is expected to lift on Thursday evening, but until then, many Iowa schools, including Des Moines, have curbed outdoor activities for the week. Some schools across the state have even pushed back their start dates until Monday, and others have planned early dismissals on Wednesday, according to officials from the Iowa State Education Association.
As the heat wave continues to impact the region, it is important for individuals to take precautions and stay hydrated to ensure their safety and well-being.
How have the high temperatures in Des Moines and its surrounding areas affected the operations of the local schools?
Mentary, middle, and high schools will be dismissing classes three hours early.
The heat wave in the Midwest has brought about unusually hot and humid conditions in the region. A high-pressure ridge over Iowa and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico have contributed to these extreme temperatures. Des Moines specifically experienced a record high temperature of 100 degrees on August 23, which is significantly above the average. This trend of high temperatures has persisted throughout Iowa and its surrounding areas.
To ensure the safety and well-being of students, Des Moines Public Schools have made the decision to dismiss classes three hours early on Thursday. The forecast for that day predicts a high temperature of 99 degrees, with a heat index of 105 degrees. This early dismissal will help minimize the students’ exposure to the extreme heat and allow them to seek cooler environments.
“Great decision by the school district to prioritize the safety and well-being of the students. Heat waves can be really dangerous, especially for young children.”