Natural Disasters, Climate Change and the Start of School in 2023: Scanning the Back-to-School Headlines (Part 2)

Part 2 of IEN’S Back-to-School series shares headlines and stories focused on the natural disasters, heat and climate change-related crises that have interfered with the start of school in many parts of the US. This three part series highlights some of the key issues that the education sources we follow are talking about as school resumes in many parts of the Northern hemisphere. Part 1 pulled together headlines that highlight some of the other critical challenges that students, educators and schools are facing in 2023. Part 3 collects some of the back-to-school guidance and the issues to watch in the coming year — including the use of AI in schools. For back-to school headlines from fall 2022 see Hope and trepidation: Scanning the back-to-school headlines in the US; “Over it” but unable to escape it: Going back to school with Covid in 2022; Going back to school in 2022 (Part 3): Scanning headlines from around the world; for fall 2021 see Going back to school has never been quite like this (Part 1): Pandemic effects in the US; Going back to school has never been quite like this (Part 2): Quarantines, shortages, wildfires & hurricanes; for fall 2020 see What does it look like to go back to school? It’s different all around the world…; for 2019 see Headlines around the world: Back to school 2019 edition.

This fall, a number of the back-to-school headlines have shifted focus from the COVID crisis to the many climate change related concerns and disasters like the intense heat in many parts of the world and the tragic fires in Hawaii. As Alexander Russo and colleagues with The Grade, who regularly document and summarize the latest education-related journalism in the US, noted, the big education story of the first week of school “was the heatwave that blanketed much of the Northeast and other parts of the country. The unusually high heat created a major challenge for schools trying to launch the new year — and an irresistible topic for news outlets. Reporters covered schools closing, kids sent home early, canceled recess time, and the lack of AC in many buildings” (Heat wave welcome: The big story of the week).

“The big education story of the first week of school ‘was the heatwave that blanketed much of the Northeast and other parts of the country. The unusually high heat created a major challenge for schools trying to launch the new year — and an irresistible topic for news outlets.’”

Hawaii wildfires thrust educators into disaster response roles, Education Week

“Schools across Maui closed Wednesday—days after the start of a new school year—after a wildfire ravaged a historic region of the Hawaiian island”

Are the challenges of Puerto Rico’s schools a taste of what other districts will face? The Hechinger Report

“Sweltering classrooms due to inadequate cooling systems are hindering student learning and causing health concerns among educators in several US states. Budgetary constraints and the increasing frequency of heat waves are exacerbating the issue, prompting educators to call for better classroom conditions and investments in upgraded cooling systems.” 

Hot classrooms are impairing student learning and health amid record-hot year, teachers say, NBC News

Are heat days the new snow days? Schools are canceling class as temperatures soar, CNN

“Schools really need to be thinking about how climate change is going to impact them and how they can develop and build plans in place to adequately respond…”

As classes resume in sweltering heat, many schools lack air conditioning, NPR

“Heat days:” More than a dozen Denver schools releasing students early Tuesday, ChalkBeat

“With outdoor temperatures soaring into the high 90s, some Denver schools without air conditioning are releasing students early Tuesday. Roughly one-fifth of Denver schools lack cooling systems.”

Chicago public schools teachers adjust to keep classrooms cool as extreme heat bakes city, ChalkBeat

“Teachers, parents and union organizers said they are managing the tough conditions, but it’s time for the district to commit to long-term upgrades instead of “quick fixes and bandaids.”

Philly school dismissals: How extreme heat impacts families, NPR

“What we’re seeing is that climate change is boosting heat not only in Philadelphia, but all over the world.”

Seattle-area teachers brace for sweltering classrooms during heat waves, Seattle Times

“Heat waves have historically fallen outside of the school year, sparing kids and educators. But not so over the past six or seven years.”

What educators need to know about schools and hot weather, Education Week

“With record-setting high temperatures, schools struggle to keep their students cool.”