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Sandra Yi Reporting...The summer break can't come fast enough for some Utah school kids. Many are sitting in classrooms with no air conditioning.
The Jordan district issued a memo to all its schools suggesting ways beat the heat. Tips include allowing students to fan themselves and limiting outside activity. It’s important because temperatures are expected to remain high and school's not out for another week.
Drew Bouillon/7th Grade: "I LIKE THE WEATHER OUTSIDE, BUT NOT THE HEAT IN THE SCHOOL."
Mt. Jordan Middle School, like 20 others in the district, has no air conditioning. Fans provide some relief but students find other ways to beat the heat.
Drew Bouillon/Student: "I JUST MAKE SURE TO DRESS IN SHORTS AND A T-SHIRT SO THAT I WON'T OVERHEAT OR ANY OF THAT."
Hilary Casperson/Student: "IN THE AFTERNOON, IT CAN GET REALLY INTERESTING. PEOPLE START SWEATING AND IT SMELLS REALLY BAD."
In the Jordan district, traditional or non-year-round elementary and middle schools don't have air conditioning. They're used to the heat the first and last weeks of school. But record temperatures today and tomorrow can make some parts of the day unbearable.
A thermometer showed it was about 82 degrees inside one classroom at Midvalley Elementary School at 11:30 this morning.
Carolyn McCann/Midvalley Middle School Teacher: "I HAVE A THERMOMETER ON THE WALL AND IT GOT UP TO 90 IN HERE YESTERDAY AND THAT'S WITH FOUR FANS GOING, ONE IN EACH CORNER. SO THAT'S A LITTLE TOASTY."
Students are encouraged to drink plenty of water. In fact, water bottles are a common accessory in this 3rd grade class. So are wet paper towels.
Anna Taylor/Midvalley Elementary School Teacher: "WHEN I GET HERE IN THE MORNING, I KEEP MY BLINDS CLOSED BECAUSE MY WHOLE BACK IS WINDOWS, JUST KEEP THE FANS ON."
Other teachers turn the lights off. They say they're just glad summer break is almost here.
Carolyn McCann/Midvalley Elementary School Teacher: "THE KIDS ARE OK, BUT I TELL YOU THE TEACHERS GET A LITTLE TOASTY. A LITTLE, I DON'T KNOW. IT'S HARD TO TEACH WHEN IT'S LIKE THIS. IT REALLY IS."
You may recall it was really hot around this time last year. Some students got sick from the heat. Teachers are trained to look for any signs of heat stroke in children.
