School boards give 'stay cool' advice to students, parents (updated)

Algoma Public Health (APH), along with a number of community partners, is issuing ‘stay cool’ advice during this uncharacteristically hot late September weather.

“As part of our city emergency response plan, extreme heat is one we identify, following Algoma Public Health’s lead,” said Lauren Perry, City of Sault Ste. Marie emergency management assistant chief.

“We recommend people go to the Essar Centre, John Rhodes Community Centre, the Public Library main branch and Korah branch, and shopping centres like Station Mall, Cambrian Mall and Wellington Square Mall (to cool off in air-conditioned environments),” Perry told SooToday Monday.

Perry said the city is currently putting together a new draft response strategy for extreme weather, exploring the possibility of leaving community swimming pools open longer.  

“There are a number of different sites, both city buildings, and in the community, that are being used,” said Rob Santa Maria, Essar Centre manager.

The Essar Centre opens for walkers to get their exercise on the arena’s upper concourse from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. 

“People can come in and cool off (during those hours),” Santa Maria said.

Elsewhere, the Sault YMCA pool is open for people to use (despite having been shut down earlier this month for routine maintenance), as is Rankin Arena on Batchewana First Nation Territory.

To address concerns of students and their parents, the Algoma District School Board (ADSB) stated Monday “the Board takes this opportunity to remind parents that, with high temperatures and humidex readings, students will want to come to school dressed for the weather, in lighter attire.”

“We are encouraging students (and staff) to hydrate often and students are encouraged to bring extra water to school. There are water fountains available in all of our schools, and having additional water from home is always a good idea..”

“If a child is not feeling well, as at any time through the school year, they are encouraged to alert a staff member. Most of our schools have rooms with fans and some of our newer schools have air conditioned rooms which can be accessed as cooling stations."

“All of our elementary schools in Sault Ste. Marie have air conditioning. St. Mary’s College does as well. Holy Angels Learning Centre does not, other than the daycare that is part of the school building,” stated Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board (H-SCDSB) officials.

“We’ve not had any issues or complaints from any of the schools today or the past few days,” said John Bruno, H-SCDSB superintendent of education.

“Children have access to the gym, to water bottles throughout the day so they don’t get dehydrated, they minimize the yard time, and if they are outside they will find shady areas, so all of the precautions are given at each school and they seem to be doing a very good job with coping with that situation.”

“They have the alternative to keep the children inside.”

“We’re quite pleased with the reactions we’ve been getting, that the children are being taken care of,” Bruno said.

During extreme heat

• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.
• Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
• Stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine if air conditioning is not available.
• Postpone outdoor games and activities.
• Consider spending the warmest part of the day in public buildings such as libraries, schools, movie theatres, shopping malls, and other community facilities.
• Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty. Limit drinks with caffeine and alcohol.
• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-coloured clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Protect face and head by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.