City schools to dismiss early because of heat
Because the weather forecast is a deja vu of Monday, Columbus City Schools plans to dismiss all students early Tuesday afternoon due to “extreme heat conditions” in buildings without air conditioning. All after-school sports and extra-curricular activities Tuesday afternoon are canceled.
The high temperature Monday for Columbus was 91 degrees at 2:31 p.m. at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, said Allen Randall, a National Weather Service meteorologist. The heat index (the combination of temperature and humidity) made it feel like 96 degrees.
All students at Columbus City high schools and middle schools will be dismissed beginning at noon Tuesday. Students in K-6, K-8 and elementary schools will be dismissed at 1 p.m. All students will be served lunch before dismissal, the district said.
Families need to make alternative plans to meet children at bus stops about 2 hours earlier than regularly scheduled, or arrange for early pick-up at their schools. Latchkey will be open at 1 p.m. Teachers and staff will remain at the buildings until the end of the work day and will supervise students who cannot be transported home early.
Columbus Recreation and Parks Community Centers remind parents that most community recreation centers are open from noon until 9 p.m. Tuesday and can provide a place for residents to cool off. The exceptions and their hours are:
• Gillie Community Senior Center, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Martin Janis Community Senior Center, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Barnett Community Center, 9 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
• Lazelle Woods Community Center, 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
• Marion Franklin Community Center, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Schiller Community Center, 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
• Sullivant Gardens Community Center, Noon to 6 p.m.
• Westgate Community Center, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Whetstone Community Center, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A complete list of centers, their locations and contact information can be found online at https:// www.columbus.gov/ recreationandparks/ recreation-centers/ All-CommunityCenters/.