Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board,
My name is Rebecca Rodriguez and my oldest son is a 9th grader at LAHS. Today I met his teachers at the high school open house and was highly impressed with each teacher's presentation. After a long day of teaching, I know they were tired but they were all kind, helpful, and open to answering any questions that arose.
I did, however, notice something very alarming to me as a parent; the temperatures in each classroom and wing varied. The temperature in E-Wing was 87 degrees in my son's English class; D- Wing was over 85 degrees in his business class. A-Wing, however, was a comfortable and reasonable temperature. I understand that each wing was built during different times with different heating and cooling systems.
I understand that the state has mandated more time in the classroom and we are doing the best with the calendar we have. What I do have an issue with is asking teachers to work in conditions that are too hot. I also cannot see how our students are able to perform at their best when it is even too hot for me as an adult to handle the temperature for 7 minutes during the Open House class periods. Open House took place at 5:30 in the evening, whereas our students are in those classrooms at 2 pm, the hottest part of the day.
Below is a link to a Harvard University paper on how Extreme Heat Affects Early Childhood Development and Health.
The article directly states, "
Heat is linked to
slower cognitive function and reduced
concentration ability. One analysis of school age children in the US, England, Sweden, and
Denmark calculated that the temperature for
optimal concentration is 72°F (22°C) or lower. (page6)." 85 and 87 degrees are well above that optimal temperature.
"Each general and specialty classroom shall have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) system capable of maintaining a temperature between 68 and 75 degrees fahrenheit with full occupancy.
"
I implore you as a board to ask questions about how we as a district can support teachers and students in every classroom. Our children should not have to deal with this type of learning environment and our teachers should not be expected to make due because the temperatures will slowly come down. If teachers are asked to return in July and educate students in their classroom, during the hottest part of summer, they should be comfortable in their classrooms.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and ask questions about how we can support everyone in our schools.
Respectfully,
Jose and Rebecca Rodriguez
Parents of an LAHS student