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As temperatures soared locally on Tuesday, students enjoying their last day of summer vacation and other visitors crammed Old Orchard Beach for relief from the heat. LIZ GOTTHELF/Journal Tribune

YORK COUNTY — With heat indexes rising to record highs, local schools are taking precautions as they prepare to begin the school year.

Meteorologist Tom Hawley with the National Weather Service in Gray said a heat advisory was in effect for York County on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The heat index — the perceived temperature when combining the actual temperature and humidity — was 90 degrees in Sanford at 10 a.m., said Hawley. The heat index was expected to soar to higher than 100 degrees in some areas, he said. The dew point level was expected to reach about 70.
“That’s very humid air,” said Hawley.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection also warned that ozone levels were expected to reach unhealthy levels on Wednesday.
The combination of high heat levels and ozone levels could impact health, especially for those who exert themselves or have respiratory problems, said the MDEP.
Loranger Memorial School in Old Orchard Beach announced that all sports practices for Tuesday and Wednesday were canceled due to the high temperatures, and Wednesday, the first day of school, was going to be an early release day.
Biddeford School Department also announced an early release day on Wednesday. Biddeford school officials said Tuesday afternoon that some classrooms were in the high 90s and classrooms were expected to be even warmer on Wednesday.
“Please send your children to school well-hydrated and appropriately dressed tomorrow. Consider packing extra water and taking other precautions typical of heat advisories,” Biddeford school officials posted on Facebook.
The Saco School Department also announced an early release day for public schools on Wednesday, as did St. James School in Biddeford.
Thornton Academy High School and Middle School, which are private schools in Saco, will have full days on Wednesday, said Headmaster Rene Menard in an email to parents on Tuesday. “We understand it will be hot and we will take appropriate precautions,” he said. Students are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles or water will be provided for those without a water bottle.
Sports activities for Tuesday afternoon were canceled because of the hot weather, TA Athletic Director Gary Stevens said..
“We’re not going to have people out in these conditions,” he said.
Stevens said there were a few modified practices scheduled for Tuesday evening. He said staff would be reminding students to stay hydrated and an athletic trainer would be on site to determine if students needed to stop activity.
Stevens said although hot weather was predicted for Wednesday, staff would wait until Wednesday morning to see how conditions were looking before coming to any conclusions regarding athletic cancelations.
“Data drives decisions,” said Stevens.
The Red Cross warns that excessive heat can lead to sunburn, heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat stroke. The Red Cross advises people to drink plenty of fluids and avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol. They also advise people to slow down, stay indoors and avoid strenuous exercise at the hottest part of the day. Those who must work outside in excessive heat should use a buddy system and take frequent breaks.
— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.

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