Massachusetts has warmed nearly 3.5°F since the early 1900s, and the state projects days above 90°F are likely to double or triple by 2050. With an historically strong El Niño now developing for the 2026–27 season, similar conditions could arrive here soon. Last May, a couple of days over 85°F resulted in the Newton Teachers Association posting pictures of thermostats from the district’s 23 public schools.

Yet Newton Public Schools (NPS) has no comprehensive extreme heat policy. There’s no published maximum classroom temperature, no district-wide threshold for canceling recess or physical education classes, no heat-safety standard for synthetic turf fields (which can be 140–170°F on sunny days even when air temperature is in the 80s), and no plan for medically vulnerable students and staff. Individual schools, sports directors, and Physical Education/Health and Wellness teachers are left making ad hoc decisions in the middle of a heat wave — hardly protective of kids’ health or learning.

In June 2021, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education authorized districts to modify schedules for heat. Other districts, including Holyoke, are not waiting for a crisis to act. They’ve created real policies that Newton can build upon. Being proactive, before the next period of extreme heat will avoid emergencies. A framework exists; the expertise and talent are here. What’s missing is the will to adopt an extreme heat policy before, not after, a crisis occurs.

The Newton School Committee’s Policy Subcommittee which includes Chair Alicia Piedalue and Victor Lee is advised by Superintendent Anna Nolin and General Counsel for NPS Jill Murray Grady. They can address School Committee Member Victor Lee’s request to put “extreme heat” on their next meeting agenda.

The whole School Committee (schoolcommittee@newton.k12.ma.us) should conduct a district-wide heat-vulnerability assessment, educate staff about heat stress prevention, and develop a comprehensive policy covering classrooms, recess, athletics, and transportation, and clear cancellation criteria. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) have excellent resources for schools, families and communities.

How can you help?

Ask the School Committee to prioritize developing a comprehensive extreme heat policy now, before next spring’s heat arrives. A policy today is a lot safer and cheaper–in every sense–than a crisis tomorrow.

Viella Alkan
Jane Frantz
Ellie Goldberg
Alexander Lee