Massachusetts

School Districts Announce Closures, Early Dismissals Ahead of Extreme Temperatures

Monday's anticipated hot temperatures will impact multiple school districts in Massachusetts.

Lowell Public Schools announced there will be no classes on Monday due to extreme heat forecasts.

McAuliffe Elementary School in Lowell had warned parents earlier that classes could be affected on Monday due to the facility, along with other Lowell Public School buildings, not having air conditioning.

The district has been battling building problems this year, and gas leaks and heating problems at Lowell High School have forced classes to be canceled earlier this year.

Parents in Lowell are split on the decision to cancel classes on Monday.

"I think it is ridiculous because, like I said, we're setting our kids up for failure," Lowell parent Tina DeGree said. "They've had so many snow days and then they're going to cancel school because of the heat? Give them some popsicles. Give them a bottle of water. Give them a spray bottle and go on about their day."

Meanwhile, students in Haverhill, Holyoke and Lawrence, Massachusetts, will have early dismissals on Monday, officials announced on Sunday.

Lawrence also established cooling stations Monday at its public library and senior center.

Although a heat emergency has not been declared for Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh encouraged residents to stay safe by limiting outdoor activity, drinking plenty of liquids. He also warned residents against leaving children and pets inside vehicles.

Boston residents can head to public pools or beaches to cool off.

Temperatures are forecasted to climb into the upper 90s on Monday, and rising humidity is also expected to bring severe thunderstorms.

Officials are also warning of poor air quality in parts of New Hampshire and Maine.

The air quality alert affects coastal Maine from Kittery to Acadia National Park, and is due to expire late Monday.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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