Extreme heat is affecting students, school staff, parents, and school communities. During the week of August 24-28, Healthy Schools Network is helping amplify practical steps families and schools can take now while encouraging people to share what heat looks like in their own schools.
Why your story matters: Too little data on school heat is collected. Stories from parents, students, teachers, coaches, and school staff can help show where the problems are, what is working, and where changes to policy or practice are needed. #HeatAgenda
What to Know About High Heat at School:
- Heat affects learning and health. Extreme heat can make it harder for students to learn and can create health and safety concerns across the school day.
- Heat affects more than students. Teachers, school nurses, custodians, coaches, transportation staff, and families all have a stake in school heat preparedness.
- Preparation can start now. Families and schools can review heat plans, understand heat-related illness, identify students who may need health or disability accommodations, and know when outdoor activities should be modified.
- Tracking conditions helps drive action. Documenting high-heat conditions and their impacts can help communities identify needs and advocate for better school heat policies and investments.
Healthy Schools Network High Heat Communications Toolkit
Healthy Schools Network created a communications graphics repository for partners who want materials on high heat and corresponding messaging for their outreach. No need to recreate the wheel!
Additional High-Heat Resources
Keep these links handy as students head back to school so you can educate your community about high heat issues.
| Back to School in Extreme Heat Toolkit | A resource and communications toolkit from the Federation of American Scientists to coordinate messaging for August 24-28, 2026.
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| State and Local Heat Policy Agenda | More than 174 organizations and governments representing 40 states have signed on to the State and Local Heat Policy Agenda from the Federation of American Scientists.
Check out the Implementation guide and State Explorer sections. |
| NOAA High Heat Map | Use NOAA heat information to understand current high-heat conditions and risks in your area. |
| CDC Heat-Related Illness Chart | Review signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and when immediate action is needed. |
| National Weather Service Heat Index | See how temperature and humidity combine to affect heat risk. |
Health, Disability, and School Accommodations
High-heat planning should include students who may need health or disability accommodations. Families and schools may want to review the following references when considering student support and responsibilities:
- Students with Disabilities in Private Schools | U.S. Department of Education
- The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) as Applied to Private Schools
- The Rights of Students with Disabilities Under the IDEA, Section 504, and ADA
- Disability Rights Laws in Public Primary and Secondary Education: How Do They Relate?
Coaches and Athletic Staff: Be Part of the Heat-Safety Conversation
Athletic personnel at schools have a stake in this issue too. You can advocate for district high-heat policies and help make sure outdoor activities are guided by clear, protective practices. Heat protections for student athletes vary significantly by state. National assessments by the Korey Stringer Institute have identified substantial gaps in state requirements for heat acclimatization, environmental monitoring, activity modification, and other evidence-based protections against exertional heat illness.
Help Make School Heat Visible
As the school year begins, pay attention to how heat is affecting classrooms, playgrounds, practices, transportation, staffing, and family routines. Share what you are seeing. Better information can help communities make the case for safer practices, stronger policies, and the facilities investments schools need. #HeatAgenda
And on that note about investing in school infrastructure, check out a webinar this week:
August 27: Free School Facilities Webinar
ADVOCACY BY DESIGN
The National Council on School Facilities and the National Center on School Infrastructure are sponsoring a free August 27 webinar focused on making the case for investment in school facilities from inside states and districts.
