With hot and humid weather expected to grip the region this week, the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) is rolling out measures to help students and staff stay cool.
Both Southwestern Public Health and the Middlesex-London Health Unit have issued heat alerts for the period between Monday, June 23 and Thursday, June 26, 2025.
In response, TVDSB has outlined steps schools will take to maintain comfortable and safe learning environments.
While some schools are equipped with partial or full AC, others may experience uncomfortable indoor conditions due to the forecasted heat. To mitigate the impact, schools will:
- Keep windows and curtains closed to block out hot air
- Use fans to circulate air in classrooms
- Shut off lights and non-essential electronics to reduce internal heat
- Move outdoor physical activities indoors
- Limit time spent outside, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Rotate students and staff through cooler areas of the building, such as basements
Parents are also encouraged to help prepare their children by sending them with water, dressing them in light, loose-fitting clothes, and providing a small spray bottle for misting — with teacher approval.
TVDSB noted that it typically does not close schools during heat warnings, as doing so could create significant challenges for families in finding last-minute child care.
For more information on staying safe during extreme heat- click here.
Elsewhere, the London District Catholic School Boards notes that it achieved its goal of installing air conditioning in every school classroom last fall and anticipates all schools will remain open barring any unforeseen circumstances, such as power outages.
Written by: K. Freeman
