Schools Dismissing Early Due To Heat

Hot weather is forcing a handful of central Illinois school districts with limited or no air conditioning to send students home early.

Schools in the Arthur-Lovington School District are dismissing students at 1 p.m. Monday afternoon. 

With heat expected to continue, administrators in nearby Bement told students they'll leave early every day through Wednesday at 1:15 p.m.

Meanwhile, Danville District 118 has announced early dismissals on Tuesday and Wednesday at two buildings that don't have air conditioning.  Danville High School will dismiss those two days at 2 p.m., while East Park Elementary will let out at 1:15 p.m. with no afternoon preschool.

And the Champaign Unit #4 District is dismissing Wednesday and Thursday classes at Champaign Central High School at 1:05 PM. Unit #4 officials say buses will be available directly following this dismissal for regular afternoon routes.  Lunch will be provided. All afternoon athletic activities will be held as scheduled.

Paxton Buckley Loda schools will dismiss early on Monday through Friday, August 30th. Clara Peterson and East Lawn schools will dismiss at 2 p.m. The Junior High school lets out at 2:10 p.m.  And the Paxton-Buckley-Loda High School will dismiss classes at 2:05 p.m.

The Heritage School District in Broadlands and Homer dismissesTuesday at 1 PM.

The National Weather Service is predicting a week of high temperatures for much of the state with highs in the 90s.

The weather service has issued a heat advisory for parts of the state. Heat and high humidity are expected from noon Monday through 10 p.m. Tuesday in western Illinois.

The weather service advises staying indoors when possible and drinking plenty of water to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Checking on elderly relatives and neighbors is also a good idea.