News Summary
Denver Public Schools (DPS) announced class cancellations and early releases at several schools due to dangerously high temperatures. The decision aims to prioritize student safety amid forecasts predicting temperatures in the high 90s. Schools such as Johnson Elementary and Bryant Webster ECE-8 will close entirely while others will dismiss students early. The closures also affect after-school programs, with officials raising concerns over inadequate cooling infrastructure in schools. This move mirrors actions taken by nearby school districts as extreme heat events become more frequent.
Denver Public Schools Cancel Classes and Issue Early Releases Due to Extreme Heat
Denver, CO — Denver Public Schools (DPS) announced the cancellation of classes at more than a dozen schools on Thursday, citing dangerously high temperatures expected in the area. The decision was made to ensure student safety amid forecasts predicting temperatures to reach the high 90s.
School Closures and Early Dismissals
Several schools within the district will be closed entirely, including Johnson Elementary and Bryant Webster ECE-8. Students at Johnson Elementary will be dismissed early at 12:30 p.m., while Bryant Webster students will leave at 12:20 p.m. Both schools will implement early release procedures to accommodate the heat conditions.
Transportation services for students at these schools will continue to operate normally, with buses running on regular routes at the scheduled dismissal times. Additionally, students in these schools will be served lunch prior to their early departure, ensuring they receive their midday meal before leaving campus.
Impact on Students and Programming
The heat-related closures will also affect after-school programs, including Little Links and Discovery Link, which are scheduled to be canceled in affected schools. These programs, offered after regular school hours, often serve as important resources for families and students, but safety concerns have prompted their suspension during the heat advisory.
Extreme Temperatures and School Infrastructure
Forecasts indicate that Denver temperatures will soar into the high 90s on Thursday, creating challenging conditions within many school buildings. Several DPS schools lack adequate air conditioning, raising concerns about student comfort and safety during extreme heat events. The district has acknowledged these issues, noting that heat-related school closures are common during the late summer months.
One notable example is Skinner Middle School, which is still awaiting full air conditioning upgrades. The district’s efforts to install cooling systems have been delayed after asbestos was discovered during renovation work, a discovery that has extended the project’s completion timeline to 2026. Despite ongoing upgrades, many students have been left without sufficient cooling options for years.
Additional School Districts Also Releasing Early
The Poudre School District also announced early dismissals for most schools serving elementary and middle school students, as well as some high schools, to prevent heat-related health issues. Similar to Denver’s approach, these measures aim to protect students from extreme heat while minimizing health risks.
District Response and Family Notifications
District officials emphasized that the early release decisions are made with student safety as a priority. Families of affected students were notified about potential closures by 5 p.m. the previous evening to allow for planning and adjustments. Despite these precautions, some families expressed frustration over the lack of cooling infrastructure and questioned how taxpayer funds have been allocated toward these issues.
Background and Historical Context
Heat-related school closures tend to occur regularly during August, particularly in districts where infrastructure upgrades take time due to unforeseen obstacles. Many schools across the district have deferred upgrades and rely on aging systems not designed to cope with rising temperatures, posing ongoing challenges for student comfort and safety during heat waves. The delays in installing air conditioning due to asbestos findings at Skinner Middle School have further highlighted the complexity of infrastructure repairs in older buildings.
As extreme heat events become more frequent with climate change, districts are under increasing pressure to improve cooling facilities in schools. Many families and community members continue to advocate for faster upgrades to ensure student safety during future heat waves.
In summary, Denver Public Schools and neighboring districts are actively responding to weather conditions by canceling classes or releasing students early to prevent heat-related health risks. While some infrastructure improvements are underway, ongoing delays continue to impact student comfort and safety during these high-temperature periods.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Denver Public Schools Cancel Classes Due to Extreme Heat
Delay in School Year Start Due to Wildfires in Colorado
Air Conditioning Issues Delay Opening of Louise Troy Elementary School
Additional Resources
- Denverite
- Denver7
- KDVR
- CBS News
- 9News
- Wikipedia: School Closures
- Google Search: Extreme Heat in Schools
- Google Scholar: School Closures Due to Heat
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Climate Challenges
- Google News: Denver Schools Heat Closures
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
