Early Release Due to Extreme Heat

Dear PPS community,

Portland is experiencing unusual and extreme heat this week, and we know firsthand the impact this has on our school buildings, particularly those without air conditioning. High temperatures affect not only comfort but also safe and effective learning and teaching. After careful review of conditions across our schools, we have made the decision to release all students two hours early tomorrow, Friday, August 29.

This decision was not made lightly. Over the past week, our teams have taken every step in our heat mitigation plan – opening windows early, closing blinds to block sunlight, adjusting room assignments, providing hydration, and deploying fans to hot classrooms. Even with these measures, we have continued to see classrooms that reached unsafe temperatures, and in some cases, both students and staff experienced heat-related illness.

By releasing schools early, we create the critical time and space to act. Over the long weekend, PPS teams will be:

• Procuring and installing additional fans and cooling units in priority classrooms so staff and students return to cooler spaces.

• Inspecting and adjusting ventilation and airflow strategies in older buildings to maximize relief.

• Coordinating with principals to identify cooling stations and emergency relief areas in schools most impacted by heat.

• Exploring longer-term fixes such as reflective window film and shading to reduce heat absorption.

We recognize that this disruption is difficult for families, and we are grateful for your flexibility. Please know that our priority is keeping your children safe and supported while also preserving instructional time. Students should plan to attend school on Tuesday, and we will closely monitor temperatures over the weekend to determine if additional adjustments are necessary.

To support families, we’ve included a short FAQ at the end of this message that answers common questions, including why schools with air conditioning are also releasing early.

Thank you for your patience and partnership. Together, we are working to ensure every student can learn in a safe and supportive environment, even in the face of Portland’s changing weather patterns.

In care and confidence,

PPS Operations Team

Why release schools with air conditioning as well?
For safety, transportation, and equity reasons, we are releasing all schools early. This avoids confusion and ensures consistent instruction across PPS.

What has PPS done so far to reduce heat in schools?
We’ve implemented all steps in our heat mitigation plan: opening windows early, adjusting blinds, relocating classes when possible, providing hydration, and deploying fans.

What will PPS do while students are home?
Our teams will use this time to deliver and install additional fans, identify cooling stations, and prepare classrooms so they are cooler when students return next week.

What will happen on Tuesday?
Students should plan to attend school on Tuesday. We are actively monitoring the weather forecast and building conditions. A final decision about whether Tuesday will also include an early release will be communicated to families by Monday evening so you have time to plan.