WORCESTER – Summer vacation starts early for students at Worcester Public Schools. The superintendent announced Thursday that school will be canceled due to the expected school schedule heat wave in Massachusetts this week.
This means that Tuesday is the last school day of the year. Wednesday was already planned as a day off, because of the Juneteenth National holiday.
“Due to the age of our buildings, many buildings do not have air conditioning,” said Supt. Rachel Monarrez said in a message to families and staff. “We regret ending the school year abruptly, but we want to ensure that our students and staff are safe in what are expected to be unusually high temperatures.”
Monarrez said the lost day does not have to be made up this school year, per state education guidelines.
Will Boston schools close because of the heat?
While Mayor Michelle Wu said she is declaring a heat emergency in Boston from Tuesday through Thursday, it is not yet known whether the city’s schools will be closed. She said 10 schools don’t have that air conditioning and closure decisions will be made on a day-to-day basis.
Boston Public Schools will also be closed Wednesday for Juneteenth, with half days scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
How hot will it get?
Some all-time record highs will be challenged in southern New England cities in June, according to the latest WBZ NEXT Weather forecast. The high temperature forecast for Thursday is 99 degrees in Boston, which would break a record of 98 degrees on that date in 1953.
Wednesday and Thursday are expected to be the most uncomfortable days of the season heat wave. Temperatures on those afternoons are expected to feel between 100 and 110 degrees across most of the region.
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