Remote learning in effect at some schools as extreme heat returns
Clairton City School District & Pittsburgh Public Schools have already announced the change.
Extreme heat and humidity expected to grip the region are already disrupting the school week, with Clairton City School District and dozens of Pittsburgh Public Schools buildings shifting students to remote learning.
Clairton will move to synchronous remote learning today through Thursday due to forecasts of extreme heat, humidity and air quality concerns.
Students are expected to log in and participate in classes remotely following their regular school-day schedules. The district advised families to check their emails for additional guidance from their students’ principals.
“The safety of our students and staff remains the highest priority,” the district posted on social media Monday when announcing the change.
The shift comes just over a week after Clairton students returned to class Aug. 24.
Pittsburgh Public Schools is making a similar move at 35 of its buildings today through Thursday because of expected high temperatures.
In a release Sunday, PPS said forecasts calling for temperatures in the 90s prompted the district to implement its Extreme Heat Protocol at schools expected to be most affected by the conditions.
Under the protocol, PPS monitors conditions inside its buildings when the National Weather Service forecasts an outside temperature of at least 85 degrees or a heat index of 90 degrees or higher.
“When temperatures inside instructional spaces reach 90°F or higher, the District evaluates whether a temporary shift to remote learning or other measures are necessary,” PPS wrote.
Students at the affected schools will participate in synchronous remote learning and follow their normal school-day schedules.
The 35 schools are Allderdice, Fulton, Perry, Arsenal 6-8, Grandview, Roosevelt ECC, Arsenal K-5, Greenfield, Schiller, Beechwood, Liberty, Science and Technology, Carrick, Linden, Spring Garden ECC, Chartiers ECC, Manchester, Spring Hill, Clayton, Mifflin, Sterrett, Colfax, Miller, Student Achievement Center, Concord, Montessori, Weil, Crescent ECC, Morrow Intermediate Building, Westinghouse, Dilworth, Morrow Primary Building, Woolslair, Faison and Northview Heights ECC.
“We appreciate the flexibility and partnership of our students, families and staff as we prioritize safe learning conditions for everyone,” the district stated.
Students in grades 1 through 12 in Pittsburgh began the school year Aug. 24, while kindergarten students started Thursday.
Code Red heat advisory
The changes come as the region braces for several days of hot, humid weather.
Allegheny County has issued a Code Red heat advisory beginning today and continuing through Thursday as high temperatures and humidity raise concerns for vulnerable residents.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services announced the advisory Monday and said it will implement its standard heat advisory protocols, including additional outreach to older adults.
Home-delivered meal drivers and care management workers will check on older residents, while senior centers will continue operating on their regular schedules and can provide a cool place for residents seeking relief.
Street outreach teams will connect with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to provide water and other cooling supplies.
Older adults who need assistance can call the county’s SeniorLine at 412-350-5460.
According to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, hot and humid conditions are expected beginning today and will peak Wednesday, with heat index values in the mid to upper 90s possible across much of the region outside higher elevations.
For Allegheny County, the NWS is forecasting highs around 90 today with heat index values reaching the upper 90s during the afternoon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are also possible.
The NWS said showers and cloud cover could limit daytime heating today, though conditions will remain hot and humid.
Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, with damaging winds and large hail the main threats.
Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day of the stretch, with highs in the lower 90s in Allegheny County and heat index values reaching around 100.
According to the NWS in Pittsburgh, the last time high temperatures reached 90 degrees or higher was July 15.
Additional severe thunderstorms are possible from late Wednesday into Thursday as a cold front moves south across the region. The National Weather Service said damaging winds and hail will be the primary threats, with a tornado also possible.
Thursday will remain hot and unsettled, with highs in the upper 80s and heat index values in the upper 90s. Showers and thunderstorms are also possible.
The heat is prompting the City of Pittsburgh Department of Parks & Recreation to activate five cooling centers today through Thursday.
The Healthy Active Living Centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations: • Beechview Healthy Active Living Community Center, 1555 Broadway Ave.
• Greenfield Healthy Active Living Community Center, 745 Greenfield Ave.
• Homewood Healthy Active Living Community Center, 7321 Frankstown Ave.
• Sheraden Healthy Active Living Community Center, 720 Sherwood Ave.
• South Side Healthy Active Living Community Center, 12th and Bingham streets.
More comfortable conditions are expected heading into Labor Day weekend.
The National Weather Service said a chance of showers will remain Friday morning before conditions begin to dry out. Highs are expected to fall into the lower 80s Friday and remain in the lower 80s Saturday and Sunday, with mostly sunny skies forecast for the weekend.
TribLive and our news partners at WTAE contributed to this report.
