Many Hudson Valley schools dismiss early due to extreme heat
District officials told notified parents Wednesday that even with the use of high-powered fans, they could not bring inside temperatures down to safe levels at the elementary and middle schools.
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Once they were picked up, Minisink Valley Elementary students Coraline Vazquez and her brother Jacob Vazquez went straight to their father's air-conditioned truck and would not come out.
District officials told notified parents Wednesday that even with the use of high-powered fans, they could not bring inside temperatures down to safe levels at the elementary and middle schools.
Those students were dismissed Thursday at lunchtime.
"My classroom was cool," Coraline, a third-grader said, while second-grader Jacob said "it was just so hot" in his classroom.
He said not much happened in his class Thursday except for a few puzzle games.
Warwick and East Ramapo school districts have also shortened school days this week for some or all of their students due to heat.
Parents are adjusting the the fly.
"My wife is running the errands that I had to go do. I picked up the kids. She's picking up the groceries," Coraline and Jacob's father said. "Now I'm talking them out to lunch, but as you can see they don't even want to get out of the truck."
A social media post by News 12 about early dismissals due to heat drew an array of comments from those in full agreement with the schedule changes to others who believe today's students are being "coddled."
"It's hot, you know, It's miserable," Stephanie Stanko, mother of a middle school student said. "We're probably going to go have lunch and spend the day together. It's the beginning of summer, you know."
Minisink Valley High School students are not affected and regents exams are proceeding as scheduled.
Some students told News 12 Thursday they took their exams in a cool, comfortable cafeteria.
