Too hot for school? Some parents keeping kids at home during heat wave

Newmarket mom Justyna Miesowicz said she did not want to send her kids for the last week of school. 

Her two children attend Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School in Newmarket, in grades 1 and 5. Although classes were still in session, she said the onset of a heat wave over the weekend led her to keep her children home June 23. 

The lack of air conditioning in the school made the heat too concerning, she said.

“I don’t think it’s right that kids can’t go to school, or that we have to make these decisions in 2025,” she said.

Dozens of parents on local social media platforms said they chose not to send their children to school this week due to concerns about the heat. York Region issued an extended heat warning June 23, warning of extreme heat that could increase health risks.

Miesowicz said that most schools in the area do not have air conditioning, and as a stay-at-home mom at present, felt she had the ability to keep her kids safer at home.

“I just felt it wouldn’t be in their best interest, or healthy for them to be in these kinds of temperatures, especially because they’re not doing much this time of year,” she said.

The provincial government has said schools lacking air conditioning is the fault of school boards, citing billions given for classroom upgrades. The province said that boards are required to have plans in place to manage the heat and keep students safe.

But the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation said the funding is not enough, with boards grappling with billions in repair backlogs.

York Catholic District School Board senior manager of brand, marketing and communications Mark Brosens said they use a hot weather plan. Steps include keeping perimeter doors and windows open where possible, reminding students to wear light clothing, rotating groups into air-conditioned spaces like libraries or specialty classrooms and reminding students to have frequent water breaks.

Brosens noted that all YCDSB schools have an air-conditioned cooling station, typically located in the library.

“Providing full-building air conditioning at all schools is not financially possible at this time, so staff are helping students to adapt to the weather and have a great final week of school,” Brosens said.

York Region District School Board executive officer of corporate communications Licinio Miguelo said the board also has a hot weather action plan, with similar steps like using shaded areas in the school yard, keeping blinds and curtains closed, using board-approved fans and relocating to cooler areas like gyms and libraries.

“Staff members will continue to monitor students throughout the day and will be rotating classes through cooler areas in our building, as well as encouraging students to take frequent water breaks,” Miguelo said.

The issue sparked some debate on local social media. While plenty of parents expressed that they are keeping their kids home, other locals are skeptical of the idea.

"We are raising soft kids," one local  commented.

Miesowicz responded that it is frustrating to see that attitude. She further said that some kids have conditions that can make the heat particularly difficult.

“It’s about making the choice for what’s best for our kids and their well-being,” Miesowicz said.