Heat in Our Classrooms Is a Health Crisis—Not Just an Inconvenience

As temperatures soar year after year, extreme heat is no longer a rare inconvenience or just a seasonal discomfort. It has become a public health crisis—one that is hitting our children the hardest.

In cities like Boston, the impact is especially visible in our public schools. Classroom temperatures in Boston Public Schools (BPS) are regularly climbing above 90 degrees. And we’re not talking about a few unusually hot days—we’re talking about a recurring reality in school buildings across the city, particularly in under-resourced neighborhoods and communities of color.

This is not just an uncomfortable learning environment. It is an unsafe one.

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What Extreme Heat Does to Our Students

For students with asthma, allergies, or other health conditions, extreme heat can be dangerous—even life-threatening. But even for otherwise healthy children, these temperatures can lead to nausea, dizziness, dehydration, and an inability to focus or learn effectively.

As a parent, I’ve heard heartbreaking stories from families whose children come home physically ill from the heat. I’ve seen firsthand the toll it takes on our educators—teachers trying to keep learning going while managing unbearable conditions. They turn off lights to reduce heat, bring in fans from home, and do everything they can to get through the day.

I’ve seen classrooms with no windows, no airflow, and no relief.

Let’s be clear: this is not acceptable in any city—especially not in Boston.

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The Hidden Crisis: Ventilation in BPS Buildings

One of the most alarming, yet under-discussed, factors in this crisis is the lack of proper ventilation across the BPS system. Three out of four school buildings in Boston lack adequate ventilation. That’s more than just a facilities issue—it’s a major health and climate vulnerability.

Without proper airflow, classrooms become heat traps. They don’t just get hot—they become dangerous.

This problem isn’t going away. In fact, it’s only going to get worse. Climate models project that by 2070, Boston will face significantly more extreme heat days, putting even more pressure on an already fragile school infrastructure system.

If we don’t address ventilation now, we are setting ourselves—and our children—up for a crisis that will only deepen over time.

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A Call for Bold, Urgent Action

We need to treat this crisis with the seriousness it demands. That’s why I am calling on the Boston City Council and Boston Public Schools leadership to support and fully fund a comprehensive citywide heat response plan—one that addresses the immediate emergency and lays the foundation for long-term solutions.

Here’s what that plan must include:

🔥 1. Emergency Protocols for Extreme Heat

• Early dismissal policies on dangerously hot days

• Hydration stations widely accessible to all students

• Clear guidelines that center student health and safety—not convenience or routine

❄️ 2. Strategic Investment in Cooling & Ventilation Infrastructure

• Portable cooling units and upgraded HVAC systems, especially in schools hardest hit by the urban heat island effect

• Shade structures and redesigned outdoor areas to provide safe, usable space

• Comprehensive ventilation upgrades to ensure every child learns in a building with clean, cool, breathable air

🗣️ 3. Clear, Consistent, Multilingual Communication

Families need to know what to expect during heat events—what supports are available, and how to protect their children. Language should never be a barrier to safety. Communication must be timely, inclusive, and accessible in multiple languages.

📊 4. Transparency and Accountability

We need regular, public reporting on school building conditions, internal temperatures, ventilation capabilities, and heat-readiness plans. Transparency builds trust—and it ensures that the most impacted communities are not overlooked.

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This Is About Health Equity

Let’s not lose sight of the broader issue: this is not just about fixing a facilities problem. It’s about equity. It’s about ensuring no child suffers simply because of the school they attend or the zip code they live in.

Students in wealthier districts often have access to newer buildings, air conditioning, and modern HVAC systems. Many BPS students do not. That is unacceptable—especially when we know that climate change will only bring more frequent and severe heat in the years to come.

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Boston Can Lead—But Only If We Act

Boston has the resources. We have the experts, the data, and the community voices speaking up. What we need now is leadership—leadership that acts with urgency, compassion, and a commitment to equity.

We cannot wait until 2070 to address what’s already a crisis in 2025.

Our children deserve safe, healthy learning environments every day of the year—including the hottest ones.

Let’s meet this moment. Let’s prioritize our kids. And let’s build a Boston where no student is left behind in a sweltering classroom with no airflow.

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Join the call. Speak up. And demand a real heat plan for Boston’s schools.
#BPSHeatCrisis #HeatEquity #SafeSchoolsNow #ClimateJustice #VentilateBPS #BostonStrong