What Happens If Hot Weather Hits? Montclair Schools Now Have Plan

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Following a heat wave last week that forced a half-day for students, Montclair district administrators now have an official plan in place for hot weather closures.

When forecasts of “excessive heat” potentially affected the safety of students and staff on Sept. 6 - the first day of school - officials decided to call for an early dismissal. All after-care programs, including the YMCA, were canceled along with all after-school activities.

To support families challenged by childcare, Central Office staff were assigned to each building to supervise a small cooling area, a tactic that worked well, Montclair Schools Superintendent Kendra Johnson said.

There was no existing regulation for school closure because of heat before Sept. 6. But there’s a first time for everything, according to Johnson.

“The school closure regulation for when there is a heat advisory has been finalized and we have a protocol in place,” she stated last week. “As a result, notifications will be made in a timely fashion moving forward.”

Johnson wrote that the district made several other adjustments to help face future heat waves:

• “Students are encouraged to bring water to school so they can stay hydrated”
• “Students are encouraged to wear loose, light-colored clothing when it is extremely hot”
• “Students and staff will be asked not to go outside for activities if we have declared an early closure due to a heat advisory”

The superintendent said that school closures or abbreviated days, notifications to parents/guardians (emails, texts and robo-calls) will occur as follows:

• “In the evening, we will schedule notifications on or before 10 p.m. (unless there is an emergency)”
• “In the morning, we will schedule notifications between 5 and 6 a.m. (unless there is an emergency)”

Parents and guardians with additional questions can contact:

• Transportation - email charris@montclair.k12.nj.us
• Genesis Parent Access/Student Access - email parentaccess@montclair.k12.nj.us
• School-related questions - email your child’s principal
• Superintendent’s office - kjohnson@montclair.k12.nj.us

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