I am very concerned about how the excessive heat and humidity we are experiencing in Hawaii is affecting our students and teachers.
Our students are sitting in classrooms that are unbearably hot, yet are expected to function and learn in this environment. Teachers and students are suffering with heat exhaustion and dehydration.
As a retired teacher, parent and grandparent of a kindergartners, I know this is an impossible feat. No one can learn in 90-plus-degree temperatures in the classroom. We are facing a health crisis and we need to work together to alleviate or lessen the effects of extreme heat and humidity on our children.
I don’t believe that we can wait for air conditioners, fans or other cooling devices to come to every classroom in Hawaii. We need to take action today.
Medical experts have suggested these measures to help prevent heat exhaustion and dehydration:
>> Stay in air-conditioned rooms. Faculty and administration should look at all air-conditioned rooms in their school and try to get maximum usage of those rooms — trying to get students to spend part of their day there. The library, computer rooms, music/band rooms should be utilized. Creative planning can include having classes double up, or grade levels sharing their periods in those rooms.
>> Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking water is essential for good health and optimal learning. “Brain Gym,” a program that stresses the need for water, should be considered for faculty in-servicing or training. Faculty and staff may also benefit from in-servicing in symptoms, prevention, treatment of heat exhaustion and dehydration.
Cold water should be available in the classrooms or close by. Students should be encouraged to bring water bottles that keep water cold. Paper cups or reusable cups could be kept at the sink for usage by those who forget or do not have water bottles.
Young children need to to monitored because they sometimes can’t tell when they are thirsty. Schedule water breaks if at all feasible. Students need to be taught how to refill their bottles. Parents might consider packing extra juice or fluids for snacks, lunch or the after-school A-plus program.
>> Don’t schedule outdoor activities in the heat of the day. Indoor recess and PE should be considered when there is extreme heat and humidity. Classrooms, patios, cafeteria or other covered areas could be used.
>> Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothes. Consider purchasing the new cooling towels that can be wet and placed on the neck to reduce body temperature. Wet paper towels can be applied to the neck to cool off as well.
The health and safety of our students, teachers, staff and administrators to be of the utmost importance.
The state Department of Education should have a master plan in place for cooling all classrooms. It should reconsider the current school calendar to attempt to avoid the hottest months.
Consider giving administrators and districts authority to cancel school when the conditions are so brutal that students cannot learn. Perhaps a half-day schedule could be used. Hours of instruction lost could be made up during cooler times with extended school days.
It’s time for an action plan to deal with this heat problem. Maybe we need to consult experts and begin to brainstorm and think out of the box. The health and education of our precious keiki are at stake.
Naomi Takamori is a retired teacher who taught both special education and elementary students in Hawaii for 30 years.
