GAINESVILLE - The Hall County School System is putting into place a number of safeguards as students prepare to return to school Monday and the prolonged heat wave continues.
Supt. Will Schofield said Thursday even though some forecasts call for temperatures to drop back to around 90 by Monday, the following safeguards are being implemented:
· Extra-Curricular practice guidelines: We have standards in place for outside practices that are based upon the heat index. Our schools have equipment to determine these readings on a daily basis and adjust accordingly. Additionally, we encourage our students to drink plenty of water-once an individual feels thirsty, dehydration has already begun.
· Our school buses will all have water on board for students who are overly affected by extreme temperatures.
· Recess and school-day activities: Our principals will monitor the heat, and with the support of our school nurses ensure that indoor alternatives are available for some or all of our students on an as needed basis.
Just today, eight high school band members were overcome by heat at a camp at Reinhardt College in Waleska. (See separate story.) Schofield said there are no Hall County students at that camp.
"We sometimes hear that school in Georgia should start after Labor Day," Schofield added. "(However), there are a number of reasons schools have started earlier in the year, not the least of which involves the standardized testing schedules that are mandated by state and local governments. That being said, late starts equate to later finishes in early June."
Thursday
October 10th, 2024
2:19PM
