Toronto Schools Struggle to Cope as Heat Wave Grips City

The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) has warned families about very hot and uncomfortable conditions inside some schools as a strong heat wave continues in the city.

On Monday, Environment Canada predicted that the temperature could reach 36 degrees Celsius, but with humidity, it could feel more like 46 degrees.

The school board sent a letter to parents saying that some schools have full air conditioning, some only partly air-conditioned, and others have no cooling systems at all, making learning conditions quite difficult during this extreme heat.

The letter gave some helpful advice:

• Make sure children wear light clothing,
• Use hats and sunscreen,
• Drink lots of water during the school day to stay hydrated.

To help reduce the heat, school staff will:

• Use fans to keep air moving,
• Turn off lights and computers when they’re not needed,
• Move students and staff into cooler rooms where possible,

Cut down on strenuous activities like running or physical education.

The TDSB also mentioned that schools will not close just because of heat warnings. They said that closing schools would be very difficult for many families who might not have childcare at such short notice.

According to weather experts, if the forecast is right, Monday could break Toronto’s heat record. Meteorologist David Phillips shared that we usually expect the hottest days of summer in late July or early August, so this early heat wave is unusual and concerning.

“This kind of weather is dangerous,” Phillips explained. “It’s our first big heat wave of the year, and people aren’t used to it. It stays hot in the morning, afternoon, and even at night.”

He encouraged everyone to be careful, take breaks, stay in cool places when possible, and watch for signs of heat illness.

The school board's message was clear: safety comes first, and while they can't stop the heat, they’re doing what they can to help students and staff stay safe and comfortable.