On the second week back to school, some Santa Barbara schools will have a minimum day on Thursday due to extreme heat.
Harding University Partnership School, McKinley Elementary School, Franklin Elementary School, Cleveland Elementary School, Santa Barbara Junior High, and Santa Barbara High School will all have a minimum day, the district announced.
Principals from those schools will contact families directly with exact dismissal times and other logistics.
All campuses are restricting outdoor physical activity and utilizing shaded or air conditioned spaces, according to Ed Zuchelli, chief of communications for Santa Barbara Unified School District.
Students will be able to stay at school until the end of the normal school day if parents or guardians are unable to pick them up. After regular instruction ends, students will gather in air conditioned classrooms with full adult supervision, Zuchelli said.
The A-OK after school program will still go on at elementary sites and students will stay in air-conditioned classrooms throughout the afternoon.
Coaches at Santa Barbara High School will contact teams about schedule adjustments, according to Zuchelli.
Families are directed to contact their school’s main office is they have any questions.
Santa Barbara and other local communities are currently under an extreme heat warning and Thursday and Friday are is expected to be the hottest days, with estimated high temperatures around 94 and 95 degrees, respectively.
Check the latest National Weather Service forecasts here.
Residents can sign up for ReadySBC emergency alerts for extreme weather updates and other information.
The high temperatures this week increase the risk of heat illness and the risk of fires starting and spreading.
Earlier this week, county officials sent out precautions and tips to stay cool during hot weather:
- Drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages, especially those without sugar or caffeine. Do not wait until you are thirsty to drink. If you have fluid restrictions from your doctor, ask to see how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
- Avoid hazardous activities that may cause sparks and start a wildfire, such as using lawn care equipment and towing with dragging chains along roadways.
- Take care of those who might not be aware of high temperature dangers or be able to react accordingly — especially the elderly, young children, and pets. Check on your neighbors.
- Limit outdoor activity. Try to schedule outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, such as morning and evening hours. Be sure to wear sunscreen and rest often.
- For those who work outside, be sure to take frequent rest breaks in a shaded area or air-conditioned room, if possible. Stay hydrated and take action by moving to a cooler space if you feel signs of heat exhaustion.
- Take regular breaks in the shade or in an air-conditioned room. A few hours in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler. Taking a cool shower or bath can help, too.
- If you do not have air conditioning, consider arranging to spend at least parts of the day at another space that is cool. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, they will not prevent heat-related illness.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Lightweight, light-colored, loose fitting clothing works best.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion. If someone becomes dizzy, nauseated or sweats heavily, find a cooler location for him or her immediately.
- Know the signs of heat stroke. Heat stroke is much more serious than heat exhaustion. The symptoms are similar to heat exhaustion, but also include hot, flushed skin. With heat stroke, the person often stops sweating and the skin will be unusually dry. If heat stroke is a possibility, call 9-1-1 immediately. Heat stroke is life-threatening!
- Do not leave children (and pets) unattended in vehicles. It takes only a matter of minutes on a relatively mild day for a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures.
