How Winnipeg schools are dealing with the heat
As Winnipeg continues to deal with extreme heat and humidity, a number of school divisions around the city are taking steps to keep staff and students safe.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, a hot and humid air mass is causing daytime highs in the low 30s, and overnight lows in the upper teens and low 20s. On top of this, humidity is pushing the humidex values into the upper 30s.
CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to school divisions in Winnipeg to find out how they're dealing with heat warnings and keeping students and staff cool.
WINNIPEG SCHOOL DIVISION
To deal with these temperatures, the Winnipeg School Division (WSD) said its advice to schools and families is to follow the Workplace Health and Safety guidelines. This includes wearing loose clothes and drinking lots of water.
Staff are monitoring for signs of heat stress and ensuring that everyone is taking precautions, including using fans, moving classes to cooler parts of the schools, and making sure people take breaks. Certain activities, including physical education, may be rescheduled to take place earlier in the day.
The WSD said fans are provided throughout the schools, but teachers can bring CSA-approved fans as well. The division’s building department is also starting the daily air exchange earlier in the morning.
The WSD has 42 facilities with full air conditioning, 27 without air conditioning, and 16 that are partially air-conditioned.
ST. JAMES-ASSINIBOIA SCHOOL DIVISION
In a statement, Mari Aguirre, manager of facilities and future development for the St. James-Assiniboia School Division (SJASD), said air conditioning is a priority.
All schools in the division have air conditioning; however, the air conditioning units are being repaired and replaced at a few schools.
Staff at the schools with partial or inoperative air conditioning are taking a number of steps to deal with the heat including closing blinds and windows; limiting intensive physical activity; ensuring everyone has access to water; and watching for signs and symptoms of heat stress. Maintenance crews are also working to bring in cool air from the ventilation system at night.
School administrators and staff are monitoring children closely. Caregivers with any concerns about their child’s response to heat can take them home in consultation with school administrators.
RIVER EAST TRANSCONA SCHOOL DIVISION
Sandra Herbst, superintendent and CEO of the River East Transcona School Division (RETSD), said school staff are working to mitigate the impact of the heat.
Herbst added that principals meet with staff to discuss ways to deal with temperatures, which could include:
- Rotating classes through spaces that are air-conditioned or cooler;
- Using shady spaces when engaging in outdoor learning;
- Ensuring students stay hydrated;
- Bringing in portable fans;
- Running fans overnight;
- Monitoring students for heat stress;
- Choosing learning activities that are appropriate for the weather;
- Getting students to run cool water over their wrists;
- Reminding students to tell an adult if they are feeling unwell.
Herbst noted that parents and caregivers rely on schools to stay open, but some people may choose to keep their kids at home due to the heat.
PEMBINA TRAILS SCHOOL DIVISION
The Pembina Trails School Division said it’s following Workplace Health and Safety Guidelines and reminding students and staff to drink lots of water and wear loose, lightweight clothing.
Staff members are on alert and monitoring for signs of heat stress. They are also reminding students to take hydration breaks and to bring water bottles to school. Some school activities may be adjusted due to the weather.
The division noted that the monitoring and repair of the HVAC infrastructure in its buildings are ongoing. The facilities and operations department is doing all it can to keep things running.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.