News Summary
Denver Public Schools (DPS) have canceled classes at several schools due to expected high temperatures in the 90s, creating unsafe conditions for students. Johnson Elementary and Bryant Webster ECE-8 will dismiss students early, while other schools in the Poudre School District will also follow suit due to similar heat concerns. Many DPS schools still lack adequate air conditioning, highlighting ongoing infrastructure issues that have raised concerns among families. School officials are working on solutions to ensure student safety amid extreme weather.
Denver – Denver Public Schools (DPS) have announced the cancellation of classes at over a dozen schools due to extreme heat forecasted for Thursday. This decision comes as temperatures in the Denver area are expected to rise to the high 90s, contributing to an uncomfortable and unsafe environment for students and staff, particularly at schools lacking adequate air conditioning.
Specifically, Johnson Elementary and Bryant Webster ECE-8 will not hold classes on Thursday. Johnson Elementary will dismiss students early at 12:30 p.m., while Bryant Webster will release students at 12:20 p.m.. To ensure students are not sent home hungry, both schools will serve lunch before the early dismissal. Bus services for these schools will operate on regular routes aligned with the designated early dismissal times.
This action is partly a response to the numerous complaints from families regarding the lack of cooling facilities in many DPS schools during extreme heat. The decision to cancel classes was communicated to families by 5 p.m. the evening prior, addressing the potential challenges presented by sudden school closures.
In tandem with DPS, the Poudre School District is also opting for early releases across most of its institutions due to similar high-temperature concerns. All elementary and middle schools, alongside some high schools, will follow this early-release protocol to prioritize student safety.
The high temperatures and class cancellations highlight a long-standing issue within the DPS infrastructure. Many schools, including Skinner Middle School, are still waiting for air conditioning systems to be installed following a bond approved by voters. Unfortunately, progress has faced setbacks; the discovery of asbestos at Skinner has delayed air conditioning upgrades, pushing the project’s completion date to 2026.
As the hot weather persists, school closures due to extreme conditions are becoming increasingly common in August. Families have voiced frustration and concern regarding the insufficient cooling facilities available during these extreme weather events, questioning how taxpayer money has been allocated to improve the physical conditions of schools.
DPS officials understand the challenges school closures present for families, particularly when a lack of proper air conditioning forces changes to students’ schedules. While the district takes steps to ensure students’ well-being during extreme heat, the issues related to outdated infrastructure and inadequate facilities remain a pressing concern that the community aims to address moving forward.
As this situation unfolds, school officials and local leaders will continue to assess the effectiveness of their responses to extreme weather, working towards solutions that ensure a safer and more comfortable educational environment for all students in Denver. With the ongoing struggles related to school facilities, it is clear that both immediate actions and long-term planning will be required to tackle the effects of rising temperatures and improve student health and safety in schools.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Denver Public Schools Close 13 Schools Due to Extreme Heat
Garfield Re-2 School District Delays Start of School Year
Dayton School Delays Opening Due to Air Conditioning Issues
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 MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee 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 Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
