PEORIA, Ill. – Schools in central Illinois are doing what they can this week to keep students cool in the forecasted intense heat.
An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect until Thursday evening, with temperatures potentially near 100 and heat index values as high as 110.
East Peoria Elementary School District 86 Associate Superintendent Jason Warner says all of their buildings have air conditioning in some form.
“Two of our buildings have HVAC, and the other five buildings have window units with some HVAC in certain areas. But all of our classroom spaces are equipped with window air units to maintain cooler air in those rooms,” Warner said.
Warner says in some spaces that don’t have access to air conditioning, such as gyms which double as lunch rooms, large fans are used to try and keep temperatures down.
He says the schools will still let students out for recess in the morning when temperatures are cooler during the day, but that can be changed based on current conditions.
Competition in high school sports starts in full this week with football and cross country events taking place.
Peoria High Athletic Director Brien Dunphy says his coaches keep a close eye on conditions and wet bulb temperatures throughout the week to determine the best course of action for practices.
He says the coaches are able to make decisions to change up practices as needed.
“Football, tomorrow and Wednesday, they’re not going to practice ‘til 7:30 and go until 9:30 at night. They’re going to let the temperatures cool, let the sun go down, and get out in the field and do what we do,” Dunphy said.
Dunphy says other coaches have made decisions such as moving practices indoors or even to the mornings.
He says because of forecasted heat, a cross-country meet scheduled for this week has already been canceled.
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