Students sweltered across the city for the first week of school this year (especially those in buildings without air conditioning) as temperatures stayed in the 90s. The district provided water and fans to schools without A/C, but students and teachers alike continued to suffer.

Many let out a sigh of relief when Minneapolis Public Schools canceled class for 27 schools lacking air conditioning on August 29th and 30th. Sports practices and other after-school activities were also affected (being either canceled or continued according to guidelines set by the district).

On August 27th, the activist group Neighborhoods Organizing for Change held a press conference outside Patrick Henry High School. Many protesters, including students, spoke out against holding school during extreme heat, saying it distracted from learning. Some even argued inequity was the cause of some schools having A/C and others lacking it.

In a statement released August 28th, MPS said it “determined that the level of support necessary for student health and safety at [affected schools] would be unsustainable for the remainder of the week.”

Sports were also affected by the heat, causing all practices and events (including games) not in a cooled building to be canceled.

Kate Slezak, a captain of the South High/Washburn women’s swim team, agreed with the decision. She said in an email that during summer practices, “the air gets very hot and humid which makes it harder to breathe.” While coaches try to keep athletes cool and hydrated with extra water breaks, heat sometimes prevails.

“We’re very concerned about the safety of the kids,” said Tony Stewart, South’s assistant athletic director. “The important thing is that when athletes are practicing, they stay hydrated.” He added that game spectators should also make sure they stay safe in extreme heat.

Fall sports were “scrambling” to make up for lost games and practices, Stewart also said. “Some games had to be back to back… on consecutive days.”

By Tuesday, September 3rd, school was back in session and students returned after a three to five day weekend to continue classes.