63 Philadelphia schools to dismiss early due to excessive heat

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The School District of Philadelphia said 63 schools will be dismissing three hours early on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the heat.

The schools have inadequate cooling, the district said. Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s on both days.

All other schools and the district's administrative offices will operate on a normal schedule.

The schools that will be dismissing three hours early on Tuesday, August 27 and Wednesday, August 28 are:

1. AMY Northwest
2. Anderson, Marian
3. Bache-Martin
4. Blaine, James
5. Bridesburg Annex
6. Building 21
7. Castor Gardens
8. Catharine, Joseph
9. Comegys, B.
10. Comly Watson
11. Crossan Kennedy
12. Disston, Hamilton
13. Dunbar, Paul
14. Ellwood
15. Emlen, Eleanor
16. Fell, D Newlin
17. Fitzpatrick, A.
18. Fox Chase
19. Franklin, Ben HS
20. Girard, Stephen
21. Harding, Warren
22. Henry, Charles
23. Hill-Freedman
24. Hopkinson, Francis
25. Houston, Henry
26. Howe, Julia
27. Jenks, Abram
28. Jenks, John S
29. Kirkbride, E.
30. Lamberton
31. Lingelbach, Anna
32. Loesche
33. Ludlow, James
34. McCloskey, John
35. McClure, A.
36. McMichael, M.
37. Meredith, William
38. Mitchell, Weir
39. Moore, J. Hampton
40. MYA
41. Nebinger, George
42. Olney Elementary
43. Overbrook Education Center Annex
44. Overbrook ES
45. Parkway West
46. Patterson, John
47. Rhawnhurst
48. Roosevelt, T.
49. Rowen, William
50. Roxborough HS
51. Sayre, William
52. Sharswood, George
53. Sheppard, Issac
54. SLA (BFHS)
55. South Phila. HS
56. Spring Garden
57. Spruance, Gilbert
58. Sullivan, James
59. Tilden, William
60. The U School
61. Wagner, Gen. Louis
62. Waring, Laura
63. Washington, Martha

Even though the district installed about 200 air conditioning units this summer, some schools still don't have adequate air conditioning.

That means, for some students, school will have to end early after only one full day back in class after summer vacation.

"We, unfortunately, have to send kids home early. Which is certainly not a good thing in 2024," said Tony Watlington, superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia.

Schools will not have to make up time from the early dismissals, officials say.

That kindergartner Lucas Dunkley was excited to start his first day of school at Finletter K-8 School in Olney.

"I'm not even nervous for the first day," he said confidently before walking into class.

His school's principal says enrollment has grown over the past two years with the school now home to about 645 students.

"We want to fill our building to capacity. The more kids we can teach, the better," said April Brown, principal of Finletter School.

But the challenge is keeping all those students comfortable since parts of the school don't have air conditioning.

"We do not have air in our cafeteria and our auditorium," she said.

It's why Congressman Brendan Boyle used the first day to demand federal funds for Philadelphia schools, holding a press conference alongside other leaders inside the un-air-conditioned auditorium of Finletter School.

"This is part of our infrastructure! Our elementary and middle and high schools where kids learn," said Rep. Boyle (D - Pennsylvania). "We have to do more."

National President of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, also spoke at the event, stressing the need for federal funding for schools in cities like Philadelphia that have long upheld the value of public education.

"We are actually doing to do what we can to help all children succeed," said Weingarten.

"It's pretty hard to learn when you can feel the temperatures to a great degree," Boyle added.

The Action News Data Journalism team found that some progress has been made in recent years regarding schools' cooling systems.

In 2022, 118 schools had to close early due to excessive heat. Last year, that number dropped to 73. Now, only 63 schools are being impacted.

That progress is due in part to Eagles Quarterback Jalen Hurts donating $200,000 to the district. That money was used to buy AC units for 10 schools.

Despite this, some school staff members say air conditioning issues still persist.

"We were able to benefit from the air conditioners. All of our classrooms have air conditioners. All of our offices do not., and we don't have air in our cafeteria or auditorium. So when we have those hotter-than-normal days, we still do struggle," explained April Brown, the principal at Thomas K. Finletter Academics Plus School.

Even with that struggle, back to school was still a celebration at Edmonds Elementary in Mount Airy. Teachers and administrators there greeted students with cheers, pom-poms, a live DJ, and lots of smiles including from Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, who was also there to welcome students back.

"Today is about new beginnings, a time for our children to make new friends," said Parker.

The district has also emphasized safety by adding 150 new cameras.

"We've expanded the number of safe pass programs, and safety zones. Working with law enforcement officers," said Watlington.

The goal is to help kids feel happy and safe - not just on the first day, but every day.

"Our goals this year are to accelerate academic achievement, and improve customer service," said Watlington. "And we are going to build a stronger partnership with our parents."