San Diego area schools without air conditioning will switch to shorter hours again Tuesday as a major heat wave continues to move through the county.
The National Weather Service has extended its heat advisory through 7 p.m. Tuesday, and San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), National School District (NSD), Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) and Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) are following suit.
They have all extended their minimum day schedule through Sept. 16 for schools that don’t have AC.
For the SDUSD, that includes 122 schools. Click here for a full list.
Each one has its own shortened schedule, so parents should check the school’s website to learn when their children will be released. They can also call the Quality Assurance Office at 619-725-7211.
The bus schedule will be adjusted accordingly, and the PrimeTime after-school program will not change. However, all athletic practices and games have been canceled at all campuses.
All of Coronado’s schools will start at the regular time, but the day will end at 12:30 p.m. District officials say for those who need lunch, they’ll provide food for students in the lunch area as classes are dismissed.
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In the National School District, all schools except Palmer Way and Rancho del la Nación will get out early. Kimball, Olivewood and Central will be released at 1:25 p.m.
Ira Harbison, Las Palmas, Lincoln Acres and John Otis will end at 1 p.m. The district’s REACH Program will maintain its usual hours, and the bus will switch to its Thursday schedule.
SUHSD schools that will be on a minimum day schedule are Castle Park Middle, Chula Vista High, Hilltop Middle, Mar Vista Academy, Mar Vista High and Sweetwater High.
For parents who have to work as their kids are released early, the YMCA of San Diego County is offering free emergency childcare at its before and after-school sites. Closing times will vary per location.
All SDUSD schools with full AC will operate under the district's hot weather guidelines, which include limited recess activities and keeping kids hydrated.
But while kids are being allowed out early, teachers must stay behind for a work day.
Some are questioning why.
"It was 104 in my classroom today. No AC, nothing," one teacher told NBC 7. "And it's really hard to work when you have a pounding headache, sweat is burning your eyes, your clothes are soaked to the skin, you have sweat dripping on your papers."
SDUSD spokesperson Linda Zintz says if teachers can't find a cool place on campus to finish their work, they can always go to a cafe.
However, the teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were directed to stay on campus, sticking their heads in the freezer to find relief.
"It does affect our health and our ability to do our jobs," the teacher said.
Meanwhile, SDG&E confirmed Monday that residents across the county have used a record amount of energy during this heat wave.
A spokesperson says the utility passed its all-time system peak record for electric use as people cranked up their AC, but she made it clear that SDG&E has enough resources to serve customers.
Despite the heat, some local sports teams fought on. Santana High and Foothills High students faced off Monday evening in volleyball, forced to play inside a gym with no AC.
"I love volleyball. It's going to be fun no matter what, but I'm going to be dying," said one player.
