Heat relief
During the May, June, August, September and, sometimes, October heat, District 58 schools use their resources and building spaces wisely to provide relief to students and staff. District 58 is home to 11 neighborhood schools and two middle schools, and while each school’s physical space differs, in general our schools follow these procedures on hot days:
- Classrooms rotate through designated cooling areas (each school’s air-conditioned spaces) throughout the school day. Thanks to staff flexibility and creativity, lessons can still be carried out in these alternate settings. There are multiple air-conditioned places in the schools.
- Classroom fans are turned on and windows are opened, to increase air circulation.
- Teachers keep overhead lights dimmed and blinds drawn, when possible.
- Students receive frequent water breaks and may carry their own water bottles.
- School nurses and staff watch for any warning signs of heat distress.
- Students are encouraged to limit exertion during outdoor recess activities.
District 58 will monitor the heat levels in our schools, and identify creative solutions to ensure our students and staff are safe and in an environment conducive to learning.
Did you know:
- Before the school year begins, District 58 installs window air conditioning units in classrooms that serve students with health issues who require air conditioning.
- Prior to summer 2024, District 58 had two schools with central air conditioning: El Sierra and Belle Aire. These schools both have an open-concept design. This open design means that individual classrooms lack windows for air circulation, necessitating air conditioning.
- On Nov. 8, 2022, the community approved a ballot measure issuing $179 million in bonds to improve District 58's facilities. Adding air-conditioning and improving ventilation/air quality at all schools was included in this measure.
- Full central air-conditioning was installed in Phase I schools (Henry Puffer, Hillcrest, Highland and Whittier) during the summer of 2024.
- Full central air-conditioning will be installed at Phase II schools (Fairmount, Indian Trail, Kingsley and Lester) and both middle schools (Herrick and O'Neill) during the summer of 2025.
- Two Phase III schools -- Belle Aire and El Sierra -- already have central air-conditioning. District 58 plans to install window air-conditioning units in every classroom at Pierce Downer (the other Phase III school) during summer 2025. District 58 will work with its construction partners to ensure the school's electrical systems can handle this load, and, if not, will make the necessary upgrades to ensure it can. Crews will install full central air-conditioning at Pierce Downer in summer 2026.